Many of you know my story. My mother, Anna Mae Pack, underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2013 and later passed away from heart disease in 2023. As a young mother, Mae-Mae, as she was lovingly known by family and friends, was always active, playing softball, badminton, volleyball, and horseshoes, and chasing after the toddlers and preschoolers she cared for. In her later years, she and my dad enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson through the New River Valley and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

I participate in the Heart Walk because my mom found her purpose in helping others. Whether she was making a meal for a new neighbor or a sick friend, baking the best pineapple upside-down cake, or showing up with a can of Pledge and a bottle of Windex to straighten up when someone needed it, she was always there. She found time to call and check in on others even when she didn't feel her best. She volunteered to babysit children of friends, family, and neighbors, overnight, so parents could have a date night or just a moment to breathe.

Every 34 seconds, heart disease claims another life. I invite you to join me in supporting the American Heart Association, the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. If you feel moved to do so, you can make a donation by clicking the link below.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.