Addison Gundler
Why I'm Fundraising
I'm excited to have been nominated to be part of the Go Red for Teen of Impact campaign this year. As part of this year's class of changemakers, I've brought together a team that's working to make the greatest impact possible on women's health. We will be raising much-needed funds for the American Heart Association and working to improve the health of our communities. I hope we can count on your support!
In 2004, Go Red For Women was born as a campaign to raise awareness among women about their greatest health threat — heart disease. Slowly, the campaign grew into a movement bringing together thousands of women. Go Red for Women is the trusted, passionate force for change. It provides a platform for women and their families to lead healthier lives and transform communities. It's not just about wearing red. It's not just about sharing heart-health facts. It's about:
- Providing opportunities for women to take charge of their health
- Building communities that support access to healthy choices
- Demanding equal access to health care for all women and their families
- Increasing women in STEM in upcoming generations
Our team is focused on preventing heart disease and stroke. We're promoting healthy lifestyles, building awareness and raising critically-needed funds to support research and education initiatives. Cardiovascular diseases, which include heart disease and stroke, claim the life of a woman about every 80 seconds. We hope you will join us on our mission because about 80% of these diseases may be prevented.
The time is now. Women are leaning into the idea that when we take a stand, commit, and work together, real change is possible. To support my campaign, click on the Donate to Nominee button below.
Greater Cincinnati Teen of Impact - Spring 2026
Addison Gundler
When my mom was six months pregnant with me, her obstetrician discovered an abnormal heart rhythm in utero, with a doppler. She sent my mom to specialists at Christ and Children’s Hospital for the rest of her pregnancy to monitor this arrythmia and perform ultrasounds. It was determined that I had frequent PAC’s (Premature Atrial Contractions) and once I was born my heart rhythm would hopefully return to normal.
A C-section was scheduled a week before my due date so my heart would not be stressed during a natural birth. When I was delivered at Mercy Fairfield an EKG was done right away and was abnormal. My heart rate was in the mid 200’s and I was given medication to help slow my heart rate but that did not work. Within an hour I was transported to Children’s Hospital by their critical care unit, where the cardiac electrophysiologist, Dr. Timothy Knilans, took over my care. He attempted a cardioversion on me twice, but both were unsuccessful. I was diagnosed with SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia) and WPW (Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome) and started on the medication Sotalol twice a day to slow my heart rate. I spent a week at Children’s Hospital, half in the Cardiac ICU and half on the heart telemetry floor, being closely monitored and administered medication.
I continued to see Dr. Knilans and took Sotalol twice a day for six years. On September 18, 2014 at the age of six I had an SVT and WPW ablation performed to treat the abnormal electrical pathway. The procedure lasted four hours and was a success! After one year from my ablation, with no medication taken or abnormal heart rhythms Dr. Knilans released me from his care.
Since my release of Dr. Knilans I have been healthy, thriving as a senior in high school, and looking forward to continuing my education in the medical field. I have continued to have a relationship with Dr. Knilans which has helped me in looking into the medical field.
Also, within the last 8 months both of my grandpas have undergone bypass surgery. They are both with me today because of the research that has been done by the American Heart Association. We are “heart warriors” together.
Join my team! By joining, you can help me raise more awareness and critical funds for heart health. Scroll to the Team Roster and click "Join this Nominee".
Make a donation! Starting February 6th at 9:00 AM, click "Donate to Nominee" to support my campaign with a tax-deductible donation! The competition concludes at 9:00 PM on April 9th.
