Seven years ago I lost my 21 year old daughter Ceara to a silent killer - Anomalous Coronary Artery. I'd never heard of it until Ceara fainted, and died a week later while working at her job as a barista.
Why is anomalous coronary artery so concerning? Because there may be no indication of it until a severe event, such as chest pain, heart attack, or sudden death occurs. A person can remain free from symptoms and completely unaware of the problem. Ceara had one fainting episode a week before she died, but no other discernible signs in her 21 years.
Individuals with ACA involved in strenuous activity or athletics can be at risk for sudden death and may need to modify their exercise routines. ACA is the second most common cause of sudden death in young athletes.
Since Ceara's death, every year I have participated in the American Heart Association HeartWalk. For 2026, I've again signed up for the Denver Heart Walk at Sloan Lake Park.
In 1996 Jerry and I bought our first house in the Sloan Lake neighborhood of Denver. That house is where we brought baby Ceara home when she was born. We walked and played with her at Sloan Lake Park. So, I will again walk the Denver HeartWalk at Sloan's Lake Park, for Ceara.
You've been incredibly supportive over the years, and I hope you will be again. Every donation helps. My Denver and Boulder friends, I hope you will consider joining me on Team Ceara to walk at Sloan Lake Park and raise awareness and research funds for ACA and other heart diseases.