Why I Walk

I walk because this cause is deeply personal to me.

When I was young, I watched my grandfather suffer a heart attack at home. In the years that followed, he experienced two more heart attacks. Seeing someone I loved go through that at such a young age had a lasting impact on me and sparked a passion that would ultimately shape my career.

That experience led me to become a nurse, where I specialized in open-heart recovery and heart transplant care. Today, as I continue to serve in cardiovascular healthcare, I have the privilege of working alongside incredible physicians, nurses, technicians, and support staff who care for patients and families facing some of life's most challenging moments.

Every day, I see the impact that heart disease and stroke have—not just on patients, but on their loved ones as well. Behind every diagnosis is a family hoping for more time, more milestones, and more memories together.

That's why I participate in the American Heart Association Heart Walk.

The Heart Walk represents hope. It supports lifesaving research, advances new treatments, expands CPR education, and helps improve heart health in our communities. It brings together survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, families, and advocates who all share the same goal: a future with fewer lives impacted by heart disease and stroke.

For me, every step is taken in honor of my grandfather, for the patients and families I've cared for throughout my career, and for those whose stories are still being written.

I invite you to join me. Whether you walk, donate, or help raise awareness, every step and every contribution makes a difference. Together, we can create healthier communities and give more families the opportunity to share the moments that matter most.