Danielle Hammons, Nevada My sister had her first open heart surgery at 21 years old. She was told that she would need to have one of her valves replaced with a mechanical valve. The doctor went on to explain that...

Alona Angosta, Nevada I am a Nurse Practitioner and an Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Nursing. Many of my patients, family members, and their friends are victims of heart disease. My research interest is...

Pamela Hirata, Hawaii My life as a mother and co-worker is the norm. In my mid 30's I suffered three sudden cardiac arrests. There were no warning signs and no family history of cardiovascular disease. Like many I thought heart...

Phil Pomeroy, Arizona My mom, Jane Pomeroy, had always been the epitome of health. She played golf regularly and walks religiously around her neighborhood. One day she could not quite get words out the way she wanted. A series of...

Emery Miller, Arizona Emery would not be alive today without lifesaving heart research and that’s why he has become a veteran advocate at such a young age. He was diagnosed with a hole in his heart, arrhythmia and a weak...

I was born in 1982 with a rare congenital heart defect known as an endocardial cushion defect with a hypoplastic left ventricle. In laymen’s terms, I was born with a weakened left ventricle which would take a pulmonary banding in...

It was a warm day in June 2006 when my parents returned to my home in Shirley, MA following my 10 year old daughter’s dance recital. Shortly after they returned, I noticed my father groaning and somewhat slumping on the...

For Laura, April 1, 2009, started out just as any other day. It was sunny but cool, she remembers. The mother of two, and a grandmother, was at her job, driving a school bus for the Newton Public School. Her...

Michaela Gagne Massachusetts As a student at Durfee High School, Michaela was a top scholar-athlete and graduated in the Top 10 of her class of 500 students. She was a three-sport varsity athlete, participating in basketball, soccer and track and...

Judy Richards Massachusetts Judy’s daughter Kayla was a healthy and active 22-year-old. She had just entered the Radiographic Technology Program at Massasoit Community College, and was working at Jordan hospital in the diagnostic imaging program. A healthy young girl, she...