Heart disease has touched nearly every generation of my family—my husband, my mother, my uncles, and both of my grandfathers have all been affected.

The experience that changed me most was when my husband suffered a heart attack at just 45 years old. It was a stark reminder that heart disease doesn't only affect "older people"—it can impact anyone, often when you least expect it.

His recovery wasn't just about healing physically. It meant changing how we ate and drank, managing a new routine of medications, committing to exercise, and taking a hard look at the daily choices that influence our long-term health and longevity. It changed the way our family thinks about heart health and the importance of not taking tomorrow for granted.

That's why supporting the American Heart Association and participating in the Heart Walk means so much to me.

Every walker who joins, every dollar donated, and every person trained in CPR helps create more lifesaving moments for families like mine. It funds research, education, prevention, and hope for those facing heart disease today and in the future.

For me, this walk is about more than fundraising. It's about helping more families have the chance to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and all the everyday moments that matter most. â¤ï¸