Dear Friends and Family,
This year we are joining the American Heart Association's Heart Walk in Portland, Maine to honor our brother Adam Reid and sister Kimberly Simpson, both of whom were lost at an early age to heart disease. Every year we strive to find ways to honor the memory of two of the most giving and loving people we ever knew. This year we are choosing to participate in the Southern Maine Heart Walk as a way to keep the memory of these beloved family members alive, and to support efforts to help others with heart health.
Adam Reid was the kindest of souls, who always went out of his way to greet everyone with a smile, a joke, and a kind word. Regardless of how he may have been feeling inside, he was always ready to give of himself, anything that he thought would make somebody else's day better or to bring them comfort. Adam's heart health journey was a lifelong obstacle. He received groundbreaking heart surgery as a newborn infant that enabled him to enjoy a great life, despite its premature end at the age of 43. Adam never let his personal cardiac struggles get in the way of sharing his light with all around him. It was surely Adam's wish that others would be able to benefit from the advancement of heart health sciences in the same way he did. He is greatly missed every day.
Kim Simpson lived most of her life not knowing she had any heart health issues. As a child, she, much like Adam, was always concerned with the happiness and comfort of those around her. She volunteered frequently without complaint and with all of her focus and energy. In her teen and adult years, Kim was always taking part in fundraising and awareness events like The Dempsey Challenge, The Susan G Komen 3-Day Walk, the Tri for a Cure, and countless others. Her chosen career as a physical therapist was the logical extension of Kim's desire to help others have a better life. She died in her sleep unexpectedly of undiagnosed heart conditions at the age of 42.
Because these two wonderful people set such an example of what it means to give to others, we ask if you might join us in honoring them, and others like them, by donating to the American Heart Association as we join the Southern Maine Heart walk on Sunday May 18th. We thank you for taking this moment to think about these two wonderful people.
Respectfully,
Kevin and Jennifer Simpson
