When I was 9 years old, my grandmother went into cardiac arrest. It was the first timein my young life I had been confronted with death. Whether it was luck or divine intervention, my mother, who was a registered RN, performed CPR and saved her life. Because of my mother, I had 12 more years with her. That time with her was a gift. Over a decade later, I would hold her hand as she lost her life to Congestive Heart Failure. Two decades later, it remains one of the hardest days of my life.
My grandmother's experience is rare. 70% of cardiac arrests happen outside of the hospital. Performing hands-only CPR doubles the likelihood of survival. Sadly, less than half of those individuals receive immediate CPR. Less than 10% will survive.
The American Heart Association is working to create a Nation of Lifesavers. Our goal is to make sure at least one person in every household is trained in Hands Only CPR to strengthen the chain of survival. To ensure others are given the gift of time like I was.
My connection to the mission of The American Heart Association runs deep. Cardiovascular disease has been an unwelcomed shadow that has followed me almost my entire life. Every grandparent had some sort of cardiovascular disease. My father had his 3rd heart attack at 57 and died instantly. My sister-in-law, who is my person, developed a rare form of myocarditis in her 30s and had a 7% of survival. Once again, I was given the gift of time; her life was saved by a defibrillator. Her life was saved by the work done by The American Heart Association.
After the birth of my sons, I was diagnosed with Lupus. Lupus patients are 50% more likely to have Cardiovascular Disease. The combination of my autoimmune disorder and my family history greatly increases my chances of developing cardiovascular disease.
The funds we raise through America's Greatest Heart Run and Walk allow us to continue our mission right here in the Mohawk Valley as well as funding life saving research and development. As Director of Development for The AHA here in the Mohawk Valley, I work every day to fight to save my own life to ensure that my husband and children are also given the gift of time.
