I’m walking for the American Heart Association for the people I love and the stories that live with me every day.

I walk for my dad, who survived a heart attack. While he later passed away from other causes, surviving that heart attack gave us many more years together, time I’ll always be grateful for. His strength and resilience are a big part of why this cause matters so much to me.

I also walk for my friend Steve’s son, Joe, who was born with severe heart issues and has already faced more challenges than most people ever should. Watching Joe’s journey, and the strength of his family, has made the importance of heart research incredibly personal.

I walk for the many other family members and friends who have been affected by heart disease, those still fighting, those learning to live with heart conditions, and those we remember with love.

Thank you for supporting a cause that means so much to my heart.