Former North Dakota State University basketball player Claire Stern has been forced to retire due to a serious heart condition, leaving both her and the sports community in shock. This decision came after a harrowing medical ordeal that began unexpectedly during a summer evening.
On a seemingly ordinary night in Maple Grove, Minnesota, Stern experienced alarming health issues that culminated in her passing out. Concerned for her well-being, her mother, Sheila Stern, insisted they visit a hospital. At North Memorial Hospital, doctors discovered that Stern was experiencing severe cardiac events, including five heart attacks, during which she lost consciousness multiple times.
Medical Battle and Diagnosis
After being stabilized, Stern was transferred to University of Minnesota Fairview Hospital, where she underwent extensive testing for two weeks. The tests revealed a rare genetic mutation known as PPH-2, which causes cardiomyopathy and is associated with mitochondrial disease. This condition significantly affected her heart function, which had dropped to just 20%.
“I was devastated,” Stern recounted. “I’ve been playing basketball since I was in kindergarten, and it was always my dream to be a college basketball player.” The weight of the diagnosis became apparent when her doctor delivered the life-altering news: she would no longer be able to play basketball.
Prior to this, Stern had already faced significant health challenges. In high school, she broke three bones in her back and required a brace for eight months. Yet, this situation felt far more final and life-changing.
Support from Teammates and New Beginnings
Following her diagnosis, Jory Collins, head coach of the NDSU women’s basketball team, visited Stern in the hospital. “I was really grateful when I saw a familiar face walk in,” she said. The emotional toll of informing her teammates of her retirement was profound, as they had supported her throughout her journey on the court.
Now back in Fargo and starting her sophomore year, Stern is focused on her recovery. She is taking medication to support her heart and has begun cardio rehabilitation, including incline walking to regain her stamina. The doctors informed her that surviving childhood with her condition was a remarkable achievement, given the risks associated with PPH-2.
Despite her retirement, Stern remains closely connected to the Bison basketball program. She will travel with the team, participate in practices, and assist with drills, transitioning her passion for the sport into a supportive role. “I’m going to be the biggest cheerleader that NDSU has,” she stated.
Outside of basketball, Stern has taken significant steps to raise awareness about her condition. She is launching a nonprofit organization, Rare DNA Foundation, aimed at educating others about genetic mutations and encouraging early diagnosis. “I’ve been inspired to do this,” she explained. “It can help people understand what the gene mutations are and how to live with it.”
As the Bison prepare for their upcoming season, Stern reflects on her journey with a mixture of gratitude and sadness. “I think I’m really going to miss it,” she said, acknowledging the emotional challenge of standing on the sidelines. “I love my team, and I’m so grateful that I can be standing there watching the practices, but I think we all know that I would want to be out there playing.”
