A Second Chance: My Heartfelt Journey

My name is Ashok Pendal, and I am a survivor.

Just a couple of months ago, I was living what I thought was a normal, healthy life. I was active, I watched what I ate, and I had no reason to believe anything was wrong. But on a seemingly ordinary day, my life changed in an instant. I collapsed, and my heart stopped. I was in cardiac arrest.

The world went dark, and I was on the brink of losing everything. But a chain of miracles began. Thanks to the quick thinking of a bystander who immediately called paramedics, professional response of paramedics, my life was saved. They brought me back. They gave me a second chance.

I am here today because of the work of the American Heart Association. The CPR training that bystander had received, the life-saving protocols followed by the first responders—all of it is a direct result of the research, education, and advocacy championed by the AHA. They didn't just save my life; they gave me a future I almost didn't have.

Now, as I stand here with my heart beating strong, I am walking to honor the life I almost lost and to give back to the organization that gave it back to me. Every step I take is a testament to the power of timely action and the importance of heart health awareness.

This walk isn't just about finishing a race. It's about ensuring that others get their second chance, too. It's for the families who need more time with their loved ones. It's for the strangers whose hearts might stop tomorrow. It's for a future where no one has to lose someone to cardiac arrest.

Please, join me in this fight. Your donation, no matter the size, will fund critical research, provide life-saving CPR training, and help build a healthier world for us all. Be a hero to someone you've never met.

Thank you from the bottom of my new, strong heart.

With gratitude,
Ashok Pendal