In 2015, I was diagnosed with severe dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease I'd likely had for several years - one that has a 5-year survival rate of 30%. My heart's performance was deep into the 'high risk of cardiac arrest' range, bad enough that I had an internal defibrillator implanted that December. The following April, I walked in my first Heart Walk, now an annual event for me.
My heart's performance has improved slowly but steadily, and while it's still not close to 'normal,' it's an awful lot stronger than it was. In early 2025, that defibrillator's battery finally ran down, and I got a replacement in March.
I walk because I'm still here and because I still can. I walk to keep moving forward for as long as possible. And I know that with every step, I’m making a difference in someone’s life. And when combined with a million other Heart Walk Heroes across the nation, we have an even greater impact toward curing heart disease and stroke.
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!
