MY STORY:
On November 5th, 2014 I had a huge reminder of how important it is to live each day to the fullest. I was on the phone with my mother, Kathy, when she heard the doorbell ring at our house in New Jersey. To both of our surprise, it was the police, alerting her that her husband and my father, Bill, was being taking to the Princeton Hospital suffering a heart attack.
That evening my dad was at the gym when he started to not feel well. After sensing something was wrong, he ended up leaving the gym and on his way home made a split second decision to turn around and go to a local urgent care center. He wasn't experiencing any of the symptoms you often hear about - no crushing chest pain; no tingling in the left arm. He just felt poorly. The urgent care center did an EKG and quickly discovered he was having a heart attack.
Doctor's explained that the heart attack he suffered was from what some call "The Widow Maker", a 100% blockage of the left anterior descending artery. Luckily, because my dad sought out help when he did, he never lost consciousness, had his blocked artery cleared, and a stent was implanted within a couple of hours of his leaving the gym. For those who don't know, a stent is a small wire mesh tube that helps strengthen the artery and sustain blood flow. My family and I are so fortunate to have someone like my dad who recognized something was wrong, and quickly took action to get help. Many people do not always take action and before they know it, it's too late.
Seven years later and I am still so grateful for the smart and brave decision my dad made. If it weren't for the moment he decided to turn around, things may have turned out much differently. This year I am raising money to help spread awareness of the American Heart Association to help others live longer and healthier lives.
Results from the Moment You Give
What will your donation do? I'm glad you asked. Every donation will help create bug science, like science that created the artificial heart valve. The moment you contribute to the Heart Mini and Heart Walk, you are contributing to, witnessing, and progessing lifesaving science. Lives can't be saved without you. Will you donate today?
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On November 5th, 2014 I had a huge reminder of how important it is to live each day to the fullest. I was on the phone with my mother, Kathy, when she heard the doorbell ring at our house in New Jersey. To both of our surprise, it was the police, alerting her that her husband and my father, Bill, was being taking to the Princeton Hospital suffering a heart attack.
That evening my dad was at the gym when he started to not feel well. After sensing something was wrong, he ended up leaving the gym and on his way home made a split second decision to turn around and go to a local urgent care center. He wasn't experiencing any of the symptoms you often hear about - no crushing chest pain; no tingling in the left arm. He just felt poorly. The urgent care center did an EKG and quickly discovered he was having a heart attack.
Doctor's explained that the heart attack he suffered was from what some call "The Widow Maker", a 100% blockage of the left anterior descending artery. Luckily, because my dad sought out help when he did, he never lost consciousness, had his blocked artery cleared, and a stent was implanted within a couple of hours of his leaving the gym. For those who don't know, a stent is a small wire mesh tube that helps strengthen the artery and sustain blood flow. My family and I are so fortunate to have someone like my dad who recognized something was wrong, and quickly took action to get help. Many people do not always take action and before they know it, it's too late.
Seven years later and I am still so grateful for the smart and brave decision my dad made. If it weren't for the moment he decided to turn around, things may have turned out much differently. This year I am raising money to help spread awareness of the American Heart Association to help others live longer and healthier lives.
Results from the Moment You Give
What will your donation do? I'm glad you asked. Every donation will help create bug science, like science that created the artificial heart valve. The moment you contribute to the Heart Mini and Heart Walk, you are contributing to, witnessing, and progessing lifesaving science. Lives can't be saved without you. Will you donate today?
