I survived a widowmaker heart attack in 2022. My sister and I were driving home from a weekend in Las Vegas and had to race 50 miles to the nearest hospital, where I received emergency surgery and a stent.

I used to feel pretty invincible. Now I know that I am not, and so I am very careful to try to avoid stress,  eat healthier, and prioritize my mental health. It’s not healthy to rush, rush, rush, achieve, which is what I’ve done a lot of my life. I really try to not be such a perfectionist and find solace in my faith, crafting, and playing the piano.

I advocate for others because of my own family’s experiences. My mom had a heart attack and later died from related kidney failure. My brother had quadruple bypass surgery just months before my attack. And my dad wore a pacemaker. I want everyone to look into their family history, and don’t delay the minute you think anything might be heart related or even if you just feel vaguely strange. Take your symptoms seriously.

Don’t be that person who says, "I’m fine." I think we as women want to just power through. You definitely have to listen to your body and take the steps to care for yourself because you are important to so many people.

It's time to unite, take action, and save lives. Every dollar donated, means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone. Together, we can turn bystanders into lifesavers.