My life-saving heart valve surgery in 2016 gave me many more years to enjoy with my family and friends.

- What I did not know at the time was that it also left me with an aortic abnormality that contributed to a serious hypercoagulable condition.

After experiencing three strokes between 2023 and 2024, friends family and so many of my RJ colleagues rallied to ensure a comfortable and socially supported recovery.     Stepping in quickly members of the Tampa Bay Heart Association leadership team helped connect me with an exceptional hematology team at BayCare's St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Thanks to their expertise, I am now safely managed on anticoagulation therapy that helps prevent additional clotting events while minimizing the risk of excessive bleeding. Their care has given me peace of mind and significantly improved my quality of life.

This outcome would not have been possible without the support of the American Heart Association and BayCare, the largest health care provider in the Tampa Bay region.  While this may sound like a commercial, the truth of the matter is that their cacommitment to advancing cardiovascular care, supporting patients, and connecting people with life-changing resources truly makes a difference. I am deeply grateful for the role all of you have played in my journey.