When I was 10 years old, my dad suffered a heart attack. At that age, I didn't fully understand what that meant or how close our family came to losing him. Thanks to swift medical intervention, advances in medicine and the care that followed, he's still here today.
Years later, heart health has continued to hit close to home. My brother has experienced heart-related episodes that have sent him to the ER.
These are people I love deeply, and their experiences have given me a greater appreciation for something we often take for granted: more time together.
More birthdays. More holidays. More everyday moments that might not have been possible without the research, medical advancements and dedicated healthcare professionals who help save lives.
But caring about heart health shouldn't begin when a crisis happens. It begins with prevention, education and understanding our risks before it's too late.
That's why I'm proud to be part of the American Heart Association's Leaders for Life campaign. Over the next seven weeks, I'm working to raise $2,500 to support the research, education and lifesaving work that gives more families the opportunity to make memories together.
My dad and my brother are my why. And I know so many of you have your own.
Please consider making a donation to help me reach my goal. Together, we can help give more people more time with the ones they love. Click the Donate button to support the American Heart Association today. Fundraising is open from September 17th at 9:00 am until November 4th at 9:00 pm.