The heart has always fascinated me. It's an intricate system of veins, cartilage, and chambers tirelessly working to sustain life. To me, it's the most human part of humanity. But with something so complex, understanding its vulnerabilities is the only way to actively make a difference. We often fear what we don't understand, and in the world of cardiac health, that fear can be paralyzing.
Heart health is deeply personal to my family, having lost both my grandmother Carmen and my youngest sister Viviana to cardiovascular complications. This connection led me to dedicate myself to the American Heart Association (AHA) and their mission.
My involvement began with small acts: proofreading my mother's "National Wear Red Day" emails and joining local Heart Walks. Over time, that support grew into a greater purpose. In 2023, I helped lead my mother's "Fearless Hearts" team for the Women of Impact campaign. By creating modern social media content and organizing community outreach, our team raised $76,000, winning the Greater Bay Area title and ranking fifth in the nation.
Seeing that impact fueled my desire to go further. I spent two years volunteering at AHA Capitol Day, where I stepped into the world of legislative advocacy. I stood before lawmakers to advocate for tobacco control legislation-specifically flavored tobacco restrictions-and bills supporting healthy school meals. Though speaking to legislators was intimidating, I found my voice by connecting my personal loss to the policy at hand. When I later learned that two of the bills we supported had passed, I realized that even a young voice can create a ripple of change. This path eventually led me to serve on the Youth Health Equity Council for the Bay Area, further deepening my commitment to medical justice and community health.
Through Women of Impact, our goal is to bridge the gap between clinical vagueness & mystery and life-saving knowledge. By supporting the AHA, you can support not just the research put into cardiovascular health, but the "understanding" that allows a doctor to spot a rhythm off-balance or a family to recognize a warning sign before it's too late.
This is a 9-week sprint to raise as much money and awareness as possible for cardiovascular health. Every dollar raised is a point toward our goal and a step toward a world where heart health is something everyone can understand. You can support my mission by:
- Donating directly through this page! Starting February 6 at 9:00 AM, you can make a tax-deductible donation by clicking the Donate button. The campaign runs through April 9 at 9:00 PM.
- Sharing my link with your network and just spreading the word!
Every donation matters, and so does every word mentioned about it! Knowledge & understanding is power. Be the change you want to see and make a difference :]