Why am I raising critical funds for the American Heart Association? 

2026 marks 5 years since my heart transplant.  I was lucky.  I am a survivor, but I have lost many loved ones to heart diseasee - my Uncle Chip, my maternal grandmother and grandfather, and my friend Catherine. Many other friends and family members are surviros - my brother had a stroke a when he was 52, my mom lives with atrial fibrillation, my dear friend's mom had a stroke, my sorority sister had a stroke, my friend had open heart surgery when she was 37, my colleague survived a "widow maker" heart attack, and the list goes on. 

I'm sure you have your own list too. No one is immune! Heart disease kills more people than all cancers AIDS car accidents. The silver lining is that 80% of heart-related deaths are preventable.

Together, we can make healthier, longer lives possible for everyone.  Thank you so much for your support of my quest to further the AHA's lifesaving mission!