Hi! Thank you so much for visiting my donation page for the American Heart Association through the Chicago Marathon. My name is Megan, I’m 22 years old, from Columbus, Ohio, and this will be my very first marathon!
I’m running as part of the American Heart Association’s charity team in honor of my dad, Dean. He’s an avid runner, a heart attack and stroke survivor, and the person who inspired my love of running.
My dad had a heart attack when I was in elementary school, which introduced me to the reality of heart disease at a very young age. I remember wondering: how could someone so active and fit have heart disease? And when would it happen again?
That question was answered in March of my senior year of college. On March 15, 2025, I had just finished a long run on one of my favorite trails when I checked my phone and saw missed calls and texts from my mom. My dad was having an ischemic stroke and would be going into brain surgery imminently.
A dedicated team of healthcare professionals soon discovered the cause: a growth on my dad’s aorta that was putting immense stress on his heart, ultimately leading to the stroke. The solution was open-heart surgery to remove the growth.
In May 2025, my Dad underwent open-heart surgery, and since then, he’s made an incredible recovery. He’s even back to logging a few miles each week, something made possible in large part by the research, medicine, and care supported by the American Heart Association and its affiliates.
The American Heart Association funds lifesaving research, advances prevention and treatment for heart disease and stroke, and works to create healthier communities for families like mine and yours. Every donation supports this mission and brings us closer to a future with longer, healthier lives.
By supporting my run, you’re not only helping me reach the start line in Chicago, you’re helping the AHA continue to save lives. Thank you so much for being part of this journey and for supporting the American Heart Association. Your contribution truly means the world to me.
