At a young age, I lost my Grandfather on my father's side. He had a heart attack as he was walking across the street in the middle of Philadelphia. He was only 56 years old. Then while I was just starting college, my father had a heart attack and required a triple heart bypass. He died at 57 years old from Pancreatic Cancer and my father continued to say until he died "And everyone thought it would be my heart that did me in." In my mid 20's, my PCP in a proactive attempt to avoid my own Cardic trauma, started me on a blood pressure medication. Up until recently, I was on 3 different blood pressure medications and prescription strength Potassium since one of the BP meds, would negatively impact my potassium levels. Thankfully, I've never needed to see an actual Cardiologist since I have been well managed on my medication regiment. None the less, there is a constant concern in my life about how given my family history, there is a chance, I could have a cardic trauma. That was brought even more to my attention when we lost a co-worker from a heart attack at such a young age. It's so scary to continue to realize how easily this could happen to anyone. 

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

I Walk to Save Lives. I Walk to show my support for the people I have lost from Cardic trauma. I Walk to bring attention and continue research efforts to help reduce these events. Please, help me meet my goal and support this important cause. Thank you!