My reason for supporting the American Heart Association is deeply personal.

My Grandma Stumbo survived a stroke at just 56 years old, but she lived the rest of her life paralyzed. I've often wondered how different her story might have been if she had access to the education, awareness, and medical advances we have today. Would she have recognized the warning signs and called for help sooner? Would she have known she was at high risk because of her family history? After all, all eight of her brothers died young from heart disease.

For the past 11 years, I've had the privilege of serving in communications and marketing for the American Heart Association in Kansas City. Every day, our team works to meet people where they are with lifesaving information about heart disease and stroke. We help people understand their risks, recognize symptoms, and know when to take action. Those are the very messages that may have changed my grandmother's outcome.

My connection to this mission became even more personal during the pregnancy of my youngest, nearly three years ago, when I developed preeclampsia. As a mom, that experience opened my eyes to the unique cardiovascular risks women face and reminded me that heart disease and stroke can affect anyone, at any stage of life.

That's why I'm proud to support the Heart Walk on September 26. Every dollar raised helps fund groundbreaking research, health education, advocacy, and programs that save and improve lives. Because of the American Heart Association's work, more people are surviving heart attacks and strokes, living healthier lives, and spending more precious time with the people they love.

I walk for my grandma. I walk for my family. I walk for my kids and for a future where more families are spared the heartbreak of heart disease and stroke.

If you'd like to support my fundraising efforts, I'd be incredibly grateful for your donation. Together, we can help create more survivors, more healthy families, and more tomorrows.

Thank you for your support.