Twenty-six years ago, I lost my dad to a heart attack. No warning. No goodbye. Just gone.

That loss is a big part of why my work at the American Heart Association isn't just a job. It's personal. Every day, I get to be part of something that helps families keep the people they love a little longer.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the U.S. In 2000, my father became part of that statistic.

When he began experiencing the warning signs of a heart attack, he immediately sought medical attention. He had a personal history of hypertension and a family history of heart disease. Tragically, the hospital he visited failed to follow evidence-based care protocols and did not perform the appropriate diagnostic tests to confirm a heart attack. He was sent home, and just hours later, he died in his sleep at the age of 42.

At the American Heart Association, my work supports hospitals adhere to the latest science-based guidelines so that others do not have to endure the kind of care failure that led to my father’s untimely death.

Your support of the American Heart Association helps build a world where everyone has access to equitable, evidence-based care for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Your donation funds lifesaving research and advances that help people live longer, healthier lives. If you’re able, please consider making a contribution.