I am walking and fundraising for the American Heart Association to support everyone whose lives have been touched by heart disease and stroke-including my own family.
My dad is a survivor. He was an avid distance runner who completed two marathons, an ultra marathon, and many shorter races. He ran every day for over three and a half years and regularly lifted weights, living what looked like the definition of good health. Despite his commitment to staying healthy, he still faced a complete blockage in his LAD artery.
His experience opened my eyes to how heart disease, the silent killer, can affect anyone. As a high school student, I want to raise awareness and support lifesaving research that helps more people heal, find hope, and thrive-just like my dad today.
