As some of you may know, in September 2023 my dad had not one, not two, but 6 strokes. I won’t go into detail but it is truly a miracle that he survived.

 

When visiting the nurses station in the hospital on one of those first few days, I noticed a small plaque in the corner. “American Heart Association. Get With The Guidelines- Stroke. Gold Award.”

 

My dad was sitting in a hospital bed, alive, at Midstate receiving care aligned to the guidelines that AHA writes, held to quality metrics that AHA develops, and awarded by programs that AHA provides. He will be provided with patient education that AHA produces, maybe his clinical team even attended an event, conference or webinar that we host.

 

The all-encompassing and truly life-saving work of the American Heart Association goes so far past Heart Walks. It reaches patients like my dad who had no business surviving 6 strokes, but did.

 

My dad now lives in a long-term care facility. He will never walk again without assistance. He has physical and memory deficits, and will need 24/7 supervision the rest of his life.

 

However, he’s alive. He gets to visit with his grandkids. He gets to watch his favorite teams play, and very likely lose (he is a Giants fan after all..). He loves the stuffed shells and hates the fish, but he’s okay. He’s still my dad.

 

This is why I’m holding this fundraiser. For him and the million patients already like him and the million more who will be like him. Heart disease and stroke are the number 1 and 2 causes of death globally. By supporting the American Heart Association, we can work towards a healthier future where those statistics don’t exist anymore.

 

If you feel compelled to support my team and our mission, please consider donating to one of the greatest and most impactful organizations on earth. My dad and I thank you.

 

Your donation will fund groundbreaking research that literally keeps hearts beating and helps people have longer, healthier lives.

Have a heart and help me reach my goal today!