As some of you may know, I started Team Mama's Squeezebox in support of my mother after she suffered a heart attack in 2004. Since then, money raised by the American Heart Association has resulted in important developments in the technology, tools, techniques, and medications used to treat heart disease. Many of these developments helped my mother fight hard and she survived two more heart attacks; however, after bravely progressing, she passed away two weeks after the 2009 Heart Walk.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of her passing.
This year also marks my 1 year anniversary, surviving open-heart surgery to fix a rare congenital defect, Anomalous Right Coronary Artery (ARCA). Standard preventative testing led to the discovery, and one month after talking to my cardiothoracic surgeon, I was on the table having my heart restructured. While still experiencing side effects from the surgery, the operation was successful, and I'm grateful for the care and knowledge of nurses, doctors, technicians, and therapists, as well as the love and assistance from family and friends, who helped me to survive the past year and keep me striving to get back to 100%.
Since we lost my mother over a decade ago, incredible advances in cardiac care have developed through research supported and funded by the American Heart Association, some of which helped me survive this past year. Yet, cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the U.S. One person dies every 34 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease. For women, it causes 1 in 3 deaths each year... that’s approximately one woman every minute!
I walk with gratitude for my life. I walk in support of my cousins, Bill, and Kathy, who continue their recovery from multiple cardiac events. I walk in support of my Aunt Lee, who continues bravely tackling her heart disease. I walk in support of my Teta, as she perseveres tenaciously in her daily fight. I walk in honor of my mother's life and for those like her, my godmother Mary, my cousin Greg, and my Uncle John, who have sadly lost their struggle against heart disease.
Please help me support the fight against heart disease and stroke and honor those who have died, by joining my team and walking on November 2nd, or by making a donation and helping us to reach our dollar goal! In this challenging year, any donation of any amount helps in this fight! Thank you immensely for your support!
Since we lost my mother over a decade ago, incredible advances in cardiac care have developed through research supported and funded by the American Heart Association, some of which helped me survive this past year. Yet, cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the U.S. One person dies every 34 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease. For women, it causes 1 in 3 deaths each year... that’s approximately one woman every minute!
I walk with gratitude for my life. I walk in support of my cousins, Bill, and Kathy, who continue their recovery from multiple cardiac events. I walk in support of my Aunt Lee, who continues bravely tackling her heart disease. I walk in support of my Teta, as she perseveres tenaciously in her daily fight. I walk in honor of my mother's life and for those like her, my godmother Mary, my cousin Greg, and my Uncle John, who have sadly lost their struggle against heart disease.
Please help me support the fight against heart disease and stroke and honor those who have died, by joining my team and walking on November 2nd, or by making a donation and helping us to reach our dollar goal! In this challenging year, any donation of any amount helps in this fight! Thank you immensely for your support!
[Pictured above: My Mother, Betty and me before the 2009 Heart Banquet]
