Site Design by Wenco Enterprises
I am a miracle child. My platform began in August 2001 when I started having instances of 2nd and 3rd degree heart block. At 13 years of
age, my cardiologist said I needed a dual chamber pacemaker . My experience at ACH inspired me to develop a state-wide award winning
fundraiser for Arkansas Children’s Hospital for which I was named Arkansas’ Youth
Volunteer of the Year. While the pacemaker helped control my condition to an extent, at
18, I developed Atrial Tachycardia in which I would often have heart rates of 200 bpm at
rest for extended periods of time. Because of these fast heart rates, I required several
“cardiac ablations” the last of which has cured my tachycardia! Throughout my college
experience, I continued to live a normal life as a college student, Miss Arkansas
contestant, and heart patient.
Instead of giving up, I focused on my other strengths and founded Matters of the Heart.
My program was designed to support children that need critical care, to raise awareness
on preventive measures on the fight against heart disease - the number one killer of
women, and to promote heart healthy lifestyle choices. Because of my first-hand
understanding of the services offered at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, I have been an
advocate and award-winning fundraiser for ACH. Through fundraising, heightening public
awareness, and working with ACH, Children’s Miracle Network and the American Heart
Association, I am committed to giving these organizations a voice and a face that
represents all children and adults who are struggling with their own heart health issues.
It has been said that, “The heart of the volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth
of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.” For as long as I can remember, my family has been active in volunteering.
Through each experience that I have had as a patient, I know that the best medicine for me has been to give back to organizations that
have given me so much. I have been involved in raising over $200,000 dollars for Arkansas Children’s
Hospital. Along
with fundraising, my life’s mission is to be an example of courage, character and commitment while
positively
impacting the lives of my fellow Arkansans.
Site Design by Wenco Enterprises
I am a miracle child. My platform began in August 2001 when I started having instances of 2nd and 3rd degree heart block. At 13 years of
age, my cardiologist said I needed a dual chamber pacemaker . My experience at ACH inspired me to develop a state-wide award winning
fundraiser for Arkansas Children’s Hospital for which I was named Arkansas’ Youth
Volunteer of the Year. While the pacemaker helped control my condition to an extent, at
18, I developed Atrial Tachycardia in which I would often have heart rates of 200 bpm at
rest for extended periods of time. Because of these fast heart rates, I required several
“cardiac ablations” the last of which has cured my tachycardia! Throughout my college
experience, I continued to live a normal life as a college student, Miss Arkansas
contestant, and heart patient.
Instead of giving up, I focused on my other strengths and founded Matters of the Heart.
My program was designed to support children that need critical care, to raise awareness
on preventive measures on the fight against heart disease - the number one killer of
women, and to promote heart healthy lifestyle choices. Because of my first-hand
understanding of the services offered at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, I have been an
advocate and award-winning fundraiser for ACH. Through fundraising, heightening public
awareness, and working with ACH, Children’s Miracle Network and the American Heart
Association, I am committed to giving these organizations a voice and a face that
represents all children and adults who are struggling with their own heart health issues.
It has been said that, “The heart of the volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth
of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.” For as long as I can remember, my family has been active in volunteering.
Through each experience that I have had as a patient, I know that the best medicine for me has been to give back to organizations that
have given me so much. I have been involved in raising over $200,000 dollars for Arkansas Children’s
Hospital. Along
with fundraising, my life’s mission is to be an example of courage, character and commitment while
positively
impacting the lives of my fellow Arkansans.
