Many of you remember - maybe not the year - but the reason I began supporting the American Heart Association. It was 2019. And this was my story: I was 44 years old. My fianc\351 was also 44 years old. We had loved each other since we were 15 years old, he was my prom date, was my soul mate and my very best friend in the entire world. He understood me in ways that no one can (nor would they probably want to). And the same can be said for me with him. But, now, he will forever be 44. He died suddenly in November 2018 and we now know that he had severe, undiagnosed Coronary Artery Disease.
Fast forward 5 years. In a new chapter in my life, I found love again. I met a man who taught me that there is plenty to still love in this life. Jim and I got married in March of 2024. In May of 2024, he returned home from a cardiologist's appointment where his faulty aortic valve was routinely monitored to deliver the news that he had now a large aortic aneurysm and would require a 7 hour open heart surgery to repair this, lest he die. Post surgery, we learned he had a partial dissection of his aorta and was but for the grace of God that he had his appointment when he did and is alive today.
Two very different outcomes, and two vastly different ways how the work done by the American Heart Association supports those affected by heart disease. Previously, it was an outlet for my grief, to raise funds for awareness in hopes that others become aware to pay attention to their bodies praying that tragedy could be avoided. More recently, it has become a direct blessing for us. Thanks to funding and research, Jim is fully recovered and living as a healthy 49 year old.
It's important to know that a death from Coronary Artery Disease occurs once per minute. Up to 10% of all heart attacks occur under the age of 45, and mostly strike men. Half of the men who die suddenly from CAD have had no previous symptoms. This is not only our grandfather's disease. Or our father's. Or mother's. It is our disease too. We are not exempt.
Please join me in supporting the American Heart Association Heart Walk on June 7 - your time, your dollars, your participation will help provide education and support to fight this disease. If we had only known. If we had only suspected. To thankfully we knew. For the rest of my life, I will do my part to ensure that young people are aware of this silent and deadly disease because I do not wish for anyone to experience the inconsolable pain that this preventable and very sudden death causes.
