As my 71st birthday on 9/4 approaches , please consider a gift to support my fundraising that has been so important to me over that last 17 years of gifted life from my donor Joseph and his family. I would love a group of you to come walk with me on 10/11 or support my fundraising that has been encouraging to me staying as healthy as I can despite many challenges. Please consider becoming an organ donor at RegisterMe.org ! Thank you all again for your support and encouragement in my journey of life!!
This picture in the upper left is from October 2019 Heart walk, just 2 months after my 11 year transplant anniversary.My donor family, The Galinat's had this Tshirt made for me and gave it to me while I visited them in Montana September 2018.
I just celebrated my 17th Heartaversary and am turning 71 years young. It has not always been an easy journey, requiring patience and trust in my transplant team and other doctors to keep me going.I continue to swim , play tennis once a week and use acupunture and physical therapy to thrive! . I am enjoying the grandkids with lots of their sporting events, club volleyball, club soccer, baseball and football. They are growing up quickly, ages 13,12,10 and 10. I am back as of January2023 volunteering at UWMC and am doing work on the Patient Saftey review board via Zoom. These days patients are only waiting 2 days to 2 months for a donated heart, not 15 months like I did in 2008! I am also still working as a lobbyist with AHA in Olympiaand chairman of the state advocacy board for my 4th year. Volunteering has been and continues to be a rewarding and important part of my life!
I ask you all to either come walk with me, or support me with a donation please. Thanks to your support in the past we have raised over $110,000 since 2012. This money goes into a National pool, that last year we raised $1.9 million in Washington state, but got back $5.8 million for research and education. Having Fred Hutchinson and UW research engines here is why we got so much back. Did you know that the AHA/ASA through research were responsible for heart valve replacement surgery,creation of pacemakers, CPR, understanding the link and importance of cholestorol to healthy hearts?? The research continues as we create stem cells to try and reverse the damage from heart attacks and disease
Life is Why! Join me in supporting the American Heart Association!
I’m not just walking. I’m Heartwalking. My participation in Heart Walk promotes fun ways to be physically active and make healthier choices every day. Please help me reach this lifesaving goal by donating today. Together, we can make healthier, longer lives possible for everyone.
Thank you in advance for your support!