Hi! Please take a few moments to read my brother Wright and my story and consider joining our Heart Walk team. Whether you donate, fundraise, participate, or all three, it means a lot to myself and my family.

Wright was born with a heart murmur and our parents were told it wasn’t serious. A few months later, after he got a cold and was taken to the doctor, we learned he was in congestive heart failure, and was diagnosed with bicuspid aortic stenosis. Wright had his first surgery at only 3 months old, and continued to be monitored yearly. He had his second surgery at  age 10, and a third surgery at age 27. He's now almost 35 years old and doing great!

When I was 5 years old, I went to the doctor for pink eye. My mom mentioned my brother’s condition, so after checking my heart, a murmur was detected as well.  Soon after I was also diagnosed with bicuspid aortic stenosis. I went for yearly checkups, ultrasounds, and stress tests to keep track of my condition as I was playing multiple sports at the time.  Despite being active and living a normal life, I always knew surgery was a possibility. In January of 2022, I went for my yearly checkup where the doctors told me that things were progressing. Two months and several tests later, I too had open heart surgery in March of 2022, at age 36. I am also doing very well!

My brother and I have the same condition, and to this day doctors don’t know where it came from as neither one of our parents have it. Thanks to our family, friends and to the research and work done by our incredible doctors, my brother and I are living normal, healthy, active lives. 

Please consider making a donation and/or joining Wright and I at the walk on Saturday, September 30th in Charlotte! 

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Shippey & Wright Lewallen