Some causes have a way of finding us more than once.

My connection to the American Heart Association began years ago while I worked for the County of Marin. I helped organize our Heart Walk efforts and had the opportunity to participate and win a t-shirt design contest to build excitement across the organization. As I learned about the Heart Walk, I also learned about the Marin County Supervisor who had passed away suddenly from heart disease. It was the first time I truly understood this event represented far more than a morning walk -- it represented families, colleagues, and communities forever changed by heart disease and stroke.

Years later, I joined LA Metro, where the Heart Walk found me again.

Today, I have the privilege of leading Metro's Heart Walk efforts on behalf of our agency. Along the way, this cause became even more personal with the passing of our beloved Chief People Officer, Ilyssa DeCasperis. Ilyssa believed deeply in caring for people and creating a workplace where employees felt seen, valued, and supported. Her loss reminded so many of us that heart disease can touch anyone, often when we least expect it.

Every year we gather for the Heart Walk, I think about the people we've lost, the lives that have been forever changed, and the hope that research, education, and prevention can help create a healthier future for others.

Supporting the Heart Walk is about more than raising funds. It's about honoring those we've lost, supporting those who are still fighting, and investing in a future where more families have the chance to make lasting memories together.