Why do we participate in the Heart walk? Sophia is our Why! As you know, Sophia had her third open heart surgery in 2023. Her strength and bravery showed throughout her recovery. As a result, she was discharged from the hospital 5 days after open heart surgery! This is why Sophia is our heart warrior!
In addition to walking for Sophia and Aunt Karen. This year we are walking for my great grandmother (Sophia's Bo) who suffered a stroke last year and sadly passed away in July. We will be walking to honor her memory! She loved supporting Sophia on this heart journey and we were lucky to have her join us at the heart walk in 2023! In addition, we are walking to honor the memory of Uncle Dave and Aunt Marian! We walk because we know that with every step, we are making a difference in someone’s life. And when combined with a million other Heart Walk Heroes across the nation, we have an even greater impact toward curing heart disease, stroke and maybe preventing heart defects.
Will you be a Heart Walk Hero with us? I know its hard to travel out to Maryland so please join us on Saturday, October 4, 2025 and go for a walk, a run, a bike ride, do a dance or do whatever makes you happy in honor of our Bo!
In September we will be celebrating Sophia's Heartiversary- 15 years since her first open heart surgery. We remember that day like it was yesterday...gowning up from head to toe, wheeling her down to the operating room and kissing her on the forehead. As we cried leaving the room, we left her in the hands of the amazing Johns Hopkins' Cardiac team. After hours of waiting, we mean hours of waiting, we finally met with her surgeon who told us her unifocalization with a conduit surgery was successful. As you all know Sophia is a strong amazing young lady. This is why her heartiversaries are so special to us because we celebrate her life! Everyday she makes us smile and laugh!
Sophia was selected as a National Youth Heart Ambassador for the American Heart Association in 2023 and currently a Maryland Heart Ambassador. She is beyond excited to help spread awareness about heart health to kids and their families. It's exciting to watch her on this heart journey....she truly has found her passion!
Your donation will fund groundbreaking research that literally keeps hearts beating and helps people have longer, healthier lives. Your funds really do make a difference!
Have a heart and help us reach our goal today!
