Our Story

     In 2001, Terry had his first heart attack. That was the beginning, for us, of learning to live with heart disease.  For the next 13 years, we lived through a couple of heart attacks, stent placements, stress tests, and angiograms. For those of you who have been there, you know the stress and fear that comes with this. Sadly, at the age of 58, we lost Terry during one of those angiograms.  Although our loss was great, we are truly thankful that through great medical care, we got 13 additional years after that first heart attack.

      When I started working with heart transplant and mechanical circulatory system (MCS) patients, it hit me that I could do something more to help.  Having been a longtime medical social worker, I know, first-hand, the financial hardship that can come with a life-threatening diagnosis. Trying to cover basic living expenses as well as mounting medical bills while trying to work toward a cure can create an unbelievable amount of stress and anxiety...all while trying to heal.

    I had an epiphany...I could create a nonprofit patient assistance fund for heart patients and honor my late husband by naming it after him. And that's what we did!

     The board and I  are so pleased that we are now able to provide assistance to this population, one for which, I have a truly soft spot in my heart.