Welcome to my Woman of Impact Donation Page!
I’m proud to be on a team of changemakers making a real impact on the state of women’s health.
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women. The American Heart Association Go Red for Women movement’s Woman of Impact campaign is working to change that.
My “WHY” for accepting the nomination as a Woman of Impact Nominee is rooted in a deeply personal journey. In June 2011, I lost my mother to Congestive Heart Failure. After suffering a heart attack, she endured seven long years with a heart aortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation. Her struggle has left an indelible mark on my life, one that I carry with me every day.
Two years after her passing, from January 1 to January 28, 2013, I began experiencing signs and symptoms of a heart attack myself. I found myself dismissing the warning signs—symptoms I had witnessed in my mother. I was in denial, believing that my commitment to exercising three to four times a week and maintaining a generally healthy diet made me immune to such issues. After all, I was not overweight and felt confident in my outward appearance.
However, my experience taught me a crucial lesson: heart disease can affect anyone, regardless of lifestyle, especially if there is a family history. My "why" is to raise awareness about the importance of recognizing that heart issues can happen to anyone. Ignoring warning signs like chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or pain radiating down the left arm should never be dismissed as anxiety, panic attacks, or acid reflux—these are the most common signs. Heart disease claims the lives of 1 in 3 women, earning its reputation as a silent killer.
I urge each of you to prioritize your health. Know your numbers—monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and A1C. Pay attention to your diet and make exercise a regular part of your routine. Let my story serve as a reminder that we must advocate for our well-being and truly listen to our bodies.
Together, we can create a healthier future for ourselves and the women in our lives.
The time is now. Are you with me? To support my campaign, click the Donate button.