I run for the undetected. I run to prevent the "if only we'd known" family tragedies.
My open-heart journey started with a surprise. My doctor heard a murmur on a routine exam. I was 38, asymptomatic, and in good shape. I had no idea that I'd been born with a congenital bicuspid aortic valve. Silently, I'd developed severe aortic insufficiency and a large ascending aortic aneurysm.
Symptoms crept in over the next two years, under the close watch of my cardiothoracic team. In December 2023, I underwent a sucessful aortic valve repair and aneurysm graft. It couldn't have gone smoother.
My family and I are immeasurably grateful to my stellar Michigan Medicine surgical and anesthesia teams, intensivists, wonderful nurses, physical and occupational therapists, my PCP who caught the murmur, my cardiac rehab team, and everyone else who cared for me in ways I may not even know. The love and support we received from family, friends, and colleagues meant the world.
I run because I can, and I can because of advances in heart care.
Your donation will fund groundbreaking research that literally keeps hearts beating and helps people live longer, healthier lives.
Thank you!