I walk in memory of my mom.

My mother passed away due to heart complications during what was supposed to be a routine surgery. Long before that, she survived her first heart attack at the young age of 40—something no family ever expects to face so early. Heart disease changed our lives forever, and ultimately, it took someone we loved far too soon.

She was a wonderful mother—loving, strong, and always putting others first. But to my two daughters, she was more than that. She was their Yaya, and she was absolutely amazing. She filled their lives with laughter, warmth, and unconditional love. The bond they shared is something I will always cherish and something my girls will carry with them forever.

I walk so other families don’t have to experience this kind of loss. I walk to raise awareness, to support research, and to remind others that heart disease doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. I walk for my mom, for my daughters, and for every family affected by heart disease. Every step I take is in her honor—and in hope of a healthier future for others.