I’m walking in the Tampa Bay Heart Walk in memory of my dad, who passed away in 2021 from congestive heart failure and COPD at just 60 years young. He was far too young to say goodbye to. He should have had the chance to grow old, to see me and my brothers get married, to meet his future grandchildren, and to experience so many more years of life. In 2025, our family was impacted again when my father-in-law suffered a stroke - a reminder of how cardiovascular disease can change a life and a family instantly.

Heart disease has impacted generations of my family, from my grandmothers to my aunts, who have endured multiple surgeries and their own battles with heart disease. While not all heart disease can be prevented, we know that awareness, prevention, and healthy lifestyle choices can reduce risk and help people live longer, healthier lives. My family’s history motivates me to take those lessons seriously - not just for myself, but for my family and the generations that come after me. That is why I walk and raise money for the American Heart Association.

I walk for my dad and the years we should have had with him. I walk in honor of my father-in-law and his strength and journey after his stroke. I walk for my family, and for a future where we are more informed, more proactive about our health, and able to give the next generation the opportunity to live longer and healthier lives.