One Hallmark movie to go

A Hallmark movie about doctors finding love at a rural hospital has a Dallas connection.

• Zeke Mankins, a 17-year-old track star from Midlothian, inspired one of the main characters in "The More the Merrier."

Context: Zeke had open-heart surgery at age 12 to receive a mechanical valve for a leaking heart valve.

• The movie also has cameos from Zeke and other people from the Abbott HeartMates program, which supports individuals with heart conditions.

Fun fact: Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who experienced a cardiac arrest during a game almost three years ago, also appears in the movie.

• He visited Baylor heart patients in Plano last year to raise awareness about heart health.

What's next: Look out for the movie on the Hallmark channel or Hallmark+.