Hi everyone! My name is Ciara Beirne, and I’m a sophomore at the University of Dayton from Long Island, NY. I was born with congenital heart disease and followed up with my cardiologist annually- but it was something I never really thought twice about. At my appointment in March of 2025, my doctor, Dr. Russell Schiff, noticed something unusual; he had found a ruptured aortic aneurysm in my scans. Before I could even process this, my surgery with Dr. Pedro Del Nido was scheduled for May 14th, 2025, at Boston Children's Hospital. 

The news of this surgery was a complete shock to me, as I was just a normal college student, but after May, my life has forever been changed. My experience completely shifted the way I look at my health and how fragile life can be. It also made me incredibly thankful for all the staff at Northwell Health and Boston’s Children’s Hospital, the people who supported me during my recovery, and for me being able to simply go back to everyday life. 

Since my surgery, I’ve really wanted to use my experience to raise awareness about heart health and support the American Heart Association's work. Being able to participate in this 5K and share my story means a lot to me, and I’m grateful for everyone who is supporting the cause. Every step and every donation helps make a difference.