I walk because I know that with every step, I am saving lives and improving the future for my daughters.
Your donation will fund groundbreaking research that literally keeps hearts beating and helps people have longer, healthier lives.
Have a heart and help me reach my goal today.
Here's our story:
We walk each year to support the work of the American Heart Association as our three girls were diagnosed with Congenital Heart Defects (CHD).
Our story started with Aubrey - and her diagnosis in 2008. At a few days old, she was diagnosed with an AV Canal Defect which resulted in a host of symptoms and failure to thrive. She had open heart surgery in 2009 at 2 months of age and has been thriving since. She is a freshman in high school, great swimmer, amazing dancer, fantastic student, and loving sister.
In 2010, Brielle was diagnosed with the same defect as her older sister while she was still in utero. Her CHD was not as severe so she did thrive, but ultimately needed surgery to repair the hole in her heart. She was 16 months at the time of her successful repair! Brielle is our compassionate soul, a great dancer, hard worker, and proud to share official member of the middle school volleyball team!
In 2015, Cayleigh was diagnosed with a VSD in utero - she's a spirited, independent soul - and fortunately her CHD resolved on its own when she was 6 months old - we were relieved and thrilled to not return to CHOP for another surgery.
We are walking for our girls' future - as we aren't sure what the genetic links will bring for them and their children, if they become moms. We also walk to ensure they continue to thrive and the medical field advances in case they would need support in the future.
The Heart Walk is a time of celebration, joy, and inspiration. It's also an event where people work together to support one single goal - to create a world free of heart disease and stroke - and hopefully free of CHD!
Be a relentless force. Be a supporter of critical research. Be a lifesaver. Be a part of an unstoppable team. Join us now and walk to save lives.