Many years ago my best friend Andrew brought his 22 month old son to the ER investigating what seemed to be a nasty winter illness. Andrew was fighting for his life at the same time. He had been bravely battling cancer for years. I like to say he took turns winnning rounds. For Jake it turned out to be much more than a winter illness. He was quickly diagnosed with end stage dilated cardiomyopathy. We were shocked to say the least. Jake would now spend months in the hospital waiting for a heart that eventually came and saved his life. Along the way Jake became a household name due to a massive fundraising and social media campaign that I was fortunate enough to be spearheading with a small group of family and close friends. We raised an enormous amount of money in a very short time to support Jake and his twin sisters Coutney and Mackenzie. It was an outpouring of support and love like I have never seen. I am still moved by it today. Andrew's sisters were an integral part in the effort. Looking back it was a second job for all of us. Unbelievably, in the midst of planning the benefit Sandra (one of Drew's) sisters had a heart attack. Thankfully she survived after a timely and needed proccedure. Sandra, and her other two sisters are still family to me all these years later. Fortunatlely all ended well for both Jake and Sandra. For Andrew I wish I could say the same. He died in March of 2016 three years after Jake got his heart. I miss him. I wear a heart pin this time of year for Jake and Sandra and I remember Andrew daily in my own way. Losing Martinique at 44 years old to heart failure just 5 years later had me and my crew down for the count but NEVER out of the fight.
We were all inseparable to the days they died. Every year I raise a little bit of money for the American Heart Association in honor of them. My family has had thier own struggles as well with heart disease. I am sure yours has too.
I raise a little bit of money and I walk because I know that with every step, I’m making a difference in someone’s life. (I have also come to learn it is part of the healing!) And when combined with a million other Heart Walk Heroes across the nation, we have an even greater impact toward curing heart disease and stroke. Will you be a Heart Walk Hero with me?
Your donation will fund groundbreaking research that literally keeps hearts beating and helps people have longer, healthier lives.
If you are interested in strolling down memory lane here are two tough reads:
https://www.silive.com/news/2013/03/staten_island_boy_gets_transpl.html
https://www.silive.com/news/2016/03/the_father_of_heart_4_jake_lit.html
Have a heart and help me reach my goal today!