In 1990, at the age of 12 and in the 6th grade, I suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while running the 400-meter race during my school's field day. A teacher immediately stepped in and performed CPR, ultimately saving my life. I was airlifted to Long Beach Hospital, where I remained in a coma for 10 days. Doctors gave me very little chance of survival.
After extensive testing, I was diagnosed with a heart condition and received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). That device gave me a second chance at life.
In 2009, my husband and I were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Denise Layla. She was my heart, my world, and my greatest joy.
Tragically, in 2024, just two weeks before her 15th birthday, Denise passed away. I had no idea she carried the same RYR2 gene mutation that I did. Mutations in the RYR2 gene are a primary cause of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT), a rare inherited heart rhythm disorder that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
I found my baby unresponsive in my office. My husband performed CPR but by the time we reached her, it was too late.
Today, we walk in honor of Denise. We walk to raise awareness and to help prevent other families from experiencing the unimaginable loss we have endured.
If you have a history of heart disease or sudden cardiac arrest in your family, please have your children evaluated. An EKG alone may not be enough. Ask your doctor about genetic testing. Knowing your family's genetic risk could save a life.
We walk for Denise Layla. We walk for awareness. We walk so that other children have the chance to live the lives they deserve.