I know first hand that cardiac arrests happen at work, in homes, on athletic fields and in neighborhoods everywhere, and the readiness of our community can be the difference between life and death.

My life changed in a heartbeat when my dad unexpectedly suffered a heart attack and subsequent anoxic brain injury that left him unable to make medical decisions. Suddenly, at 21 years old, it became my responsibility to be my dad's advocate and number one cheerleader.

The wealth of heart health knowledge that exists empowered me to focus on how I can lead a brain and heart healthy life. That knowledge fueled my caregiver journey and the heart association community gave me hope that allowed me to persevere as the best advocate I could be.

#BigMarkBigHeart

I am so grateful to be able to honor my father's legacy and celebrate the strength of all of those who have been affected by heart disease and stroke through my work with the American Heart Association.

9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital die. In most of those cases, bystander CPR was not performed. But we can change this.

It's time to unite, take action, and save lives. Every dollar donated, means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone. Together, we can turn bystanders into lifesavers.