As someone that is heavily involved in youth sports I have seen and heard the stories of young athletes that lose their lives because there is not a fast enough response time to cardiac arrest. Recently, I have worked not only with the Heart Association but with Little Leagues across the state, helping them become more equipped to handle these situations. 

 

Also, this past year I spent hours in a waiting room as my dad has open heart surgery through prayers and fantastic care he has fully recovered and has been doing extremely well, but I know better than anyone the pain of losing a loved one and that not everyone has the same outcome. 

 

I walk because I want young athletes to be safe. 

I walk because too many families lose loved ones to heart disease.