I walk because I know that with every step, I am saving lives.
In 2005, my 21 year old son, Michael, had a collapsed lung. He was 6"4 and had a desk job. This happens to 2000 tall men a year. They had to stop and start his heart to regain normal heart rate. At the time the doctor told me he had an enlarged heart and to follow up with a cardiologist. We did. The Dr told us ventricular tachycardia does not kill you. You just take a pill. We followed up as recommended. Seven years later, we went out of town to a family wedding and he ended up in cardiac Intensive care for four days. We were told to follow up with our Cardiologist. We did. I went with him on appointments and tried to explain to the doctor that I thought this situation seemed more serious. He sent us home with a monitor for a week and did a EKG. Five years latter we complained that his heart rate was not regular and he had a lot of heavy nose bleeds. The doctor ordered a monitor to be sent by mail. It arrived on a Monday night. I found him unresponsive the next morning. He was gone. My precious son. I am hoping that doctors will learn to sit down and listen to patients face to face. Just because they are young does not mean they don't need treatment.
We're all tied to heart disease and stroke in some way. We have to change that. Will you help me?
Your donation will fund groundbreaking research that literally keeps hearts beating and helps people have longer, healthier lives.
This year, as we celebrate the Centennial of the American Heart Association, we will move health and well-being forward in important and critical ways. This relentless pursuit will continue until heart disease and stroke no longer exist.
Have a heart and help me reach my goal today.
