Hi, my name is Thomas Bezza, and I am a Junior at Hamilton Southeastern High School! Although I work hard in school and participate in many extracurricular activities, like HOSA, none of it would have been possible without the community that has helped me thus far.
This belief became even more personal last year when my grandfather passed away from endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining. Many years ago, he would often sit on our porch listening to his favorite news channel, shooing away friends who came to call me outside, all because he was deeply considerate of how busy I was. At the time, I felt frustrated, but now I understand the care behind his actions. Without his guidance and blessings, I would not be where I am today. Even after his passing, I continue to carry his lessons with me in my day-to-day life.
Although I'm incredibly thankful that he was able to live a long and fruitful life, the truth is that these heart issues are prevalent in millions of individuals. According to the American Heart Association, every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack.
While these statistics are grim, the American Heart Association funds research across the entire lifespan, examining aspects such as congenital heart defects, childhood obesity, and early markers of cardiovascular risk in teens.
That's exactly why I'm asking for your help in working toward a world where solutions exist for conditions such as the one that took my grandfather's life. I've already donated, and if you donate, no matter how big or little, you will be investing in the heart health of millions of people today and in the future.
If you aren't able to donate, please consider sharing this page with family, friends, coworkers, classmates, and even strangers.
Thank you for your time!!