Why I Walk

In March 2024, my husband, Jared, passed away suddenly from cardiac arrest at just 28 years old. Our son, Griffin, was only 10 months old.

In an instant, the life we thought we had ahead of us changed forever.

Since losing Jared, I've become passionate about sharing our story, not only to keep his memory alive, but because I believe there is power in showing what life can look like after tremendous loss and in using what happened to our family to help others.

This September, I'm honored to walk alongside the American Heart Association at the Pittsburgh Heart Walk in memory of Jared.

I'll be walking for the husband and father we wish had been given more time. I'll be walking for Griffin, who will grow up knowing how deeply his dad was loved. And I'll be walking in hopes that greater awareness, research and advocacy can help give another family the time together that ours didn't get.

But I won't be carrying only Jared with me.

Throughout the walk, I'll be wearing bracelets with the names of people in our community who have been impacted by heart disease, cardiac arrest or stroke, whether in memory of someone we've lost or in honor of someone still fighting.

Every name represents a person. Every bracelet represents a story. And every step is for more time.

Thank you for supporting me, remembering Jared, and helping turn his story into something that can make a difference.