My name is Matt Horne and I try to live a life filled with joy, hope, and optimism. I never give anything less than my best, and I lead with passion and love. I am a proud father of two, a dedicated husband, and my extended family and friends are my heart and soul.
My mother-in-law, Pauline, was the life of the party who was loved by all. She dressed to the nines and had a scarf for all occasions. She decorated for every family holiday and shot fireworks off the back deck to celebrate any birthday or minor holiday. She had style and was famous for picking my kids up from elementary school in a convertible corvette. She was always on the go, and after a life filled with adventure she suffered an unexpected stroke. Our family rallied to support her, but after a long, slow, and painful recovery battle she passed away three years ago.
My mother, Pat, is a compassionate and caring former nurse who has spent her life serving others and fighting for others in need. Her greatest joy has always been spending time with family and her dream job would be holding babies 24/7. Twenty years ago she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. She has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and has had a pacemaker for over twelve years. She struggles everyday with her health, but she never stops sharing her heart with others.
My family, like yours, has suffered losses and is filled with survivors working through their journeys with heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is the #1 leading cause of death in the US and globally, and it accounts for more deaths than all cancers combined. Pauline’s stroke and Pat’s life with congestive heart failure (and the many other family members that have touched my life) have helped inspire me to lead a healthy life full of joy and hope for the future. They provide me with confidence and optimism, and they are one of the many reasons why I get out and run every day. I currently have a 2250 day running streak. Just as they have had to fight, I run every day to remind myself that I can do hard things while also having balance in my life. Our recent family motto has become “Life is Short…” and this mantra has freed me to be more available and loving to everyone in my life.
I couldn’t be more excited and honored to announce that I have been selected from over 240,000 New York City Marathon applicants to represent the American Heart Association on their “Team Heart and Stroke” on November 1st and join their efforts in raising money and awareness for heart research and stroke prevention. This is a dream come true for me as a runner, and it will be extra special to run my first marathon alongside my daughter, Gabby, who has qualified as a New York Road Runner this year for her first marathon!
I will be running for my family and for my local running community that has supported me through the years. I will be running for Pauline, Pat and everyone else who has the courage to live with the struggles of heart disease and stroke on a daily basis. I will be running for the thousands of runners that push themselves to the limits during the marathon and prove to themselves and others that they too can fight and do hard things in their lives.
Like many of you, my family has been impacted by heart disease, ailments, and strokes. I invite you to join me in supporting the work of the American Heart Association by making a donation today. Your 100% tax deductible donation will impact not only myself, Pauline, and Pat, but those in your life that have been affected, and will be affected by stroke and heart disease. My goal is to raise $8000 for the research and care that will ultimately help myself, my kids, and everyone else whose life will cross paths with heart disease and strokes.
I will pour my heart into my training and this great cause, and I thank you for supporting my fundraising efforts for “Team Heart and Stroke” and for following my journey and my story on social media through November 1st and beyond. Your support and encouragement means the world to me and my family. Thank you in advance for your love, financial support, and inspiring words!
Please follow my fundraising progress and my running journey on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok at mhorne30 or Matt Horne!
Matt Horne
Team Heart and Stroke
American Heart Association
