This year, I will be running the TCS New York City Marathon with Team Heart and Stroke through the American Heart Association! Every mile I run represents a second chance I was given 10 years ago.

My Story: On February 12th, 2016, I went into sudden cardiac arrest at a local convenience store. My heart stopped and I was clinically dead for two and a half minutes. I was 19 years old. Two police officers who just happened to be nearby jumped into action. One began CPR while the other ran to his car to retrieve an AED, which delivered the shock that brought me back to life. Their quick response and training saved my life, especially because the only AED available was theirs. The convenience store did not have one.

After several days in the ICU, I was transferred to the cardiology unit where I finally received answers. I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome, a genetic heart condition that I never knew I had. Looking back, it explained many episodes I had experienced over the years that were misdiagnosed and never fully understood. For years prior, I had been experiencing what were believed to be seizures, yet no medication or therapy ever seemed to help. In hindsight, those episodes were caused by my undiagnosed cardiac condition. We now know that each one posed a serious threat to my life. Miraculously, my heart restarted on its own every time until the one time it did not, which was also the only time it ever happened in public.

I received a pacemaker and defibrillator shortly after my diagnosis. My friends called me RoboCop, but I called it my second chance. I went on to graduate from Drexel University, where I met my now husband, Ryan, and today I live a completely normal life. I am also now a runner, something I never thought would be possible. It is a full 180 from the uncertainty I once lived with.

Now, I use my second chance to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest because it can truly happen to anyone at any age. I know how fortunate I am. I am one of the lucky ones, but many families do not get the outcome that I did. That is why heart screenings matter. That is why CPR training matters. That is why access to AEDs in public spaces matters.

Running the TCS New York City Marathon on the 10th year anniversary of my cardiac arrest is not just a personal milestone. It is a way to raise awareness and support the lifesaving research, education, and prevention efforts of the American Heart Association.

Your support helps fund critical work that saves lives, just like mine was saved that day. If you are able, please consider making a donation to support this mission and help give more people the second chance I was given. My personal goal is $6,000.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me.