Nine out of ten people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital don’t survive. In most cases, bystander CPR wasn’t performed. Those numbers are staggering, but for me, heart disease isn’t just a statistic. It’s personal.
Heart attacks and heart disease have taken too many people from my family. First was my uncle Rich in 2001. Then my Tachi in 2004. And then my uncle Jim in 2021. And most recently, my uncle Henry in December. Four people I loved. One cause.
Cardiac arrests don’t just happen in hospitals. They happen at home, at work, in everyday moments. And when they happen, the readiness of the people nearby can mean the difference between life and death.
I also live with high blood pressure, which is controlled with medication, but it’s a constant reminder that this isn’t just family history. It’s something I have to take seriously every day.
I’m walking to honor the family members I’ve lost. I’m walking to support research, education, and lifesaving training. And I’m walking because I believe we can change these outcomes by turning more bystanders into lifesavers.
Every dollar donated helps fund CPR training, research, and prevention efforts that save lives. Thank you for supporting me and for helping ensure fewer families have to experience this kind of loss.