I invite all my friends, family, and colleagues to join me in in the effort to improve heart health and save a life. I have supported the American Heart Association for nearly 12 years now. When I first aligned myself with the AHA and the Huntsville Heart Walk, it was about others; those stricken with heart disease and stroke.
However, my purpose has turned to my own battle with heart disease and to that of many close friends and relatives. The fight became progressively more personal during the summer of 2022 as I began to notice "tightening" in my chest and "shortness of breath". This led to identifying blockages in my left anterior descending, right coronary artery and a couple of arteries on my secondary diagonal artery. Knowing and ACTING on my symptoms saved my life! If you notice symptoms...take ACTION!!!
I returned to the hospital approximately 2wks post-op after suffering a heparin (blood thinning drug) induced stroke. The impacts of the stroke are minimal and solely tied to an allergic reaction to the drug (so not anticipating a recurrence). I have truly been blessed with a prolonged life with Julia and our grandchildren, the ability to work on interesting defense programs, serve a mission and to tell my story to encourage YOU to GIVE.
I have also lost 60lbs to give me a better shot at life!
Your donation this year means a great deal to me and to other people you know in our community and throughout the nation. We've all been impacted in some way of another and I ask that you join me as we work together to improve heart health and lessen the impacts of heart disease and stroke. I'd also like you to consider joining in this year's walk with your own team or simply join mine with a donation! Call me at 256-503-0498 to discuss options.
This year I will walk to honor an angel of a young woman, Sophia Lee Aldridge. She passed away of a cardiac arrest at the age of 15. I have loved and known her for her entire life and will miss her contageous sense of humor, watching her run cross-country and the hugs she gave me after greeting her, "Uncle John".
AHA has helped developed advance healthcare protocols, techniques and procedures that were used for my surgery. Our community has also benefitted from the increased number of AED's, new CPR procedures, Education and Stroke identification protocol.
I am so very grateful for the time I can spend travelling with Julia and serving a full-time mission late next year. Our grandchildren can enjoy playtime with me because of the advancements made regarding heart healthy choices because of the care I've received.
Your donation will fund groundbreaking research that literally keeps hearts beating and helps people have longer, healthier lives.
Have a heart and help me reach my goal today!
I continue to walk for my FAMILY and my FRIENDS!!!!
