I walk in memory of Sam.
I lost my husband and best friend suddenly and tragically when he was only 54 years old. This year will be the 10th anniversary of when we lost him. He died from heart disease while he was away on business and we didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. He was the best husband, father, son and friend anyone could ask for. He loved adventures, never knew a stranger, he was a story teller and the life of every party. He lived his life to the absolute fullest each day and it breaks my heart that he is not with us. He never got to meet any of his grandchildren which is so sad because he would have been the best grandpa ever!! His grandchildren know him through the stories we share and this Heart Walk is a huge part of how we keep his memory alive.
Each year since we lost Sam my family and friends and I have walked together to honor him and all those impacted by heart disease. We raise money in the hopes that life saving information and research from the American Heart Association can prevent others from experiencing the loss that we have.
When I read that 9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital die it was like a gut punch for me because that is what happened to Sam. In most of those cases, bystander CPR was not performed so I am walking to change this. Cardiac arrests happen at work(like Sam), in homes, on athletic fields and in neighborhoods everywhere, and the readiness of our community can be the difference between life and death.
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.
I walk to remeber Sam. I walk to save lives. Help me reach my goal today.