In a heartbeat, you could be the difference.

 The American Heart Association's mission is deeply personal to me because heart disease and congenital heart conditions have touched my family across generations.  My youngest son was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital heart defect that has been passed down from my mother, to me, and now to him. Unfortunately, that is only one of several heart-related conditions that have shaped our family's journey. We have also faced the challenges of Ventricular Tachycardia, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, and Congestive Heart Failure, each bringing its own uncertainty, resilience, and determination.  Experiencing these realities firsthand has given me a profound appreciation for the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association.

 Through pioneering research, education, advocacy, and critical community resources, the American Heart Association offers hope to families like mine, while driving innovations that improve and save lives every day.  I am deeply grateful for the American Heart Association's unwavering commitment to advancing cardiovascular health and empowering patients and families with knowledge, support, and access to cutting-edge research. Their work is not only transforming outcomes today but also creating a healthier future for generations to come. 

 For my family, heart health is not just a cause we support, it is a legacy we live with every day. That is why I am proud to champion the American Heart Association's mission to turn research into breakthroughs, education into empowerment, and hope into healthier tomorrows for families everywhere.

 Extraordinary things happen when people take action. A small step. A simple skill. A lifesaving moment. Heart Walk brings communities together to create health and hope for every heartbeat. Every walker who joins, every dollar donated, means more people trained in CPR, more research, and more lifesaving moments for everyone.