The year after I became involved with the Heart Walk my infant daughter Magnolia was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect and a murmur. She had a large hole in her heart that made it work twice as hard to pump blood. She stopped gaining weight, and her energy began to fade.

At just 2 years old, Magnolia underwent open-heart surgery to repair her heart. Today, at 6 years old, she?s strong, healthy, and unstoppable. Playing soccer and outrunning everyone on the track!

Her heart is mended, but not every child?s story ends this way. For the families I know currently living in the unknown ? whose little ones fight every day through medications, procedures, and uncertainty ? I walk for you.

Every year, I return to The Heart Walk to honor these brave heart warriors and to raise funds for research that gives children like Magnolia a chance to grow, run, and thrive.