Hi there!

Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page!

 I am running the Timberline Marathon on September 19 on Mt. Hood in Oregon as a fundraiser for the Heart Rhythm Foundation.  The HRF studies cardiac arrhythmias, including the condition that killed 2 of my brothers over 20 years ago. 

As many of you know, Kevin (20) and Timmy (15) both died suddenly in their sleep.  They were both athletes, and the doctors were stumped as to what caused their deaths.  Over twenty years later, my mother was diagnosed with "non-sustained ventricular tachycardia," a condition where the heart beats so fast that it can no longer pump blood throughout the body, robbing the body of oxygen.  In severe cases, this condition can instantly kill even the healthiest person.    The doctors are now sure this condition is what took Kevin and Timmy.

What makes this condition really scary is in diagnosing it.  While some tests can prove a person has the condition, a negative test result doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have it—it just means the condition didn’t manifest itself during the testing.  Thus, it is difficult to know who has it, and who doesn’t.  Most of my  family (4 siblings, 2 nephews, 1 niece and myself) have received an implantable cardiac defibrillator, just in case.  If the heart races to a deadly pace, the defibrillator should shock the heart and restore a normal rhythm.

I have been training hard to run the Timberline Marathon.  The Timberline Marathon is not just any marathon—it is a 26.2 mile race on the Pacific Crest Trail.  The course is incredibly challenging—very hilly, and there’s even a section with “wild cows” roaming about!  It is a beautiful course, but one of the hardest out there.  In my past 2 marathons, my time was about 4:20, but I will be very satisfied if I can break the 5 hour mark on this one.

Training for this event has been very challenging, and I really appreciate your support.  To sponsor me, just click on the link below to make an online donation.  Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts.

If you would prefer, you can also send a check made payable to the Heart Rhythm Foundation to the address below.  Please be sure to write my name in the memo section on your check.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

 Maggie

Heart Rhythm Foundation
1400 K Street, N.W.
Suite 500
Washington D.C. 20005