Heart health became personal for me when I was still in elementary school. One afternoon, we noticed something was wrong with my older brother, which led us down what felt like an endless maze of analyzing symptoms, trying to make dietary changes and feeling helpless as we watched his body seemingly betray him for no reason. He was hospitalized a bit later and it became common to jump in the car after school and make the drive to his room to make fun of hospital food or hook up a Sega Genesis and try to distract him with a few games of Joe Montana Football. Yes, we are old enough that Madden did not exist.

It would take doctors months to identify an infected pericardium and figure out a plan to perform open-heart surgery on a then 17-year-old who seemed absolutely invincible. While 10-year-old me knew that things always worked out and he was always going to be okay, the decades since have shown me in real terms the importance of heart health, research and the best care possible for a disease that impacts so many.

Every dollar we raise means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone. Even if all you can offer is encouragement or vibe, it is appreciated!