I walk because the vital research being done by the American Heart Association has led to breakthroughs and testing that help save lives DAILY.
On 7/27/19, my own daughter's life was saved through NOW routine newborn screens for Congenital Heart Defects, or CHD. 10 years ago, these tests did not exist and more children went undiagnosed and their hearts untreated. The newborn screen, advocated for by AHA, for CHD kept us from taking our otherwise healthy appearing newborn home - and instead we were transferred to the medical center for the first of many of life-saving procedures. I am walking for research.
On 1/11/20, my daughter went into cardiac arrest during recovery from Open Heart Surgery. Doctors performed CPR for 42 minutes and were able to keep my daughter alive until a surgical team could intervene. We were "lucky" to be in the ICU at the time - but now have a new appreciation for the effectiveness of CPR. The American Heart Association is helping to teach hands-only CPR across our community. This is VITAL to the health and safety of our neighbors. I am walking for CPR.
My daughter has also suffered two strokes as a result of complications from her Congenital Heart Defects. The first stroke, an ischemic stroke, happened during her hospitalization for Open Heart Surgery. While it was caught early, it left permanent damage to close to half of her brain. The second stroke, a hemorrhagic stroke, occured in April of 2020 due to complications of blood thinners she was taking. It went undiagnosed for over a week, because the only symptom was vomiting. I am walking for stroke awareness.
Lastly, heart disease is the number 1 leading cause of death in women. As a woman, I am walking for more awareness around heart disease and healthy habits. I am walking for women.
Thank you, American Heart Association, for your life-saving work.