A HEARTbeat. It is what every parent hopes to hear when they go in for their first ultrasound after finding out they're expecting. A heartbeat is something that we all have and it is our core of life. When I was 5 years old, my parents were unexpectedly notified that my heart needed emergency surgery. This information created a shock wave of actions, emotions, and activities for my family. Thankfully, my resourceful and network driven grandmother forged relationships and used her resources, like the American Heart Association and her fellow employees at United Health Care to begin a blood drive for my surgery to find donors for my rare A- blood. One of the amazing 5 individuals to help ensure that my surgery was a success was an AHA employee themselves. Due to heroic efforts by all of these incredible donors and the medical advancement that the AHA and many others has invested in, I was able to have my heart repaired and to this day have lived a "normal" life.
The 6 inch scar that prominently is on my chest reminds me everyday how grateful I am to the AHA. The American Heart Association helped saved my life 30 years ago and they have been a part of countless of other families' happy-ending stories.
Please have a heart and support The American Heart Association so that they can continue to invest in medical research and resources.
They have pioneered this field for many years but that would not be possible without donations.
Thank you for listening to your heart and knowing the value your choice to support this organization will do to save and impact lives.
Have a heart and help me reach my goal today by donating and joining my team.