It was New Year’s Eve 2002. I was a starting guard on the women’s basketball team at the University of Washington and in the prime of my athletic career. Being a young athlete with no prior medical history, I felt invincible to medical hardship; oblivious to what would nearly kill me in the blink of an eye. A new reality in the journey of my life would change who I would be forever.

After a typical 3 hour practice, I had eight teammates at my house watching movies – all trying to stay awake to ring in the new year. I have no recollection of what took place next, but I have amazing friends who took over a situation that transcends my comprehension. At 11:15 I sat down on my bed saying “I feel light-headed” and then collapsed, landing face down on the floor. My eyes rolled back and I began to turn purple. I appeared “lifeless.” One friend immediately called 911, one ran to the door yelling for help, one moved furniture for EMS access, and two friends began CPR.

Paramedics were able to shock my heart to a normal sinus rhythm. I lay in a coma for 15 hours at UW Medical Center. Six days later, I had an ICD placed in my chest as a precaution for future arrhythmias. I had to hang up my basketball shoes but, I also realized how fortunate and blessed that I was alive.

To this day, experts are unsure why I went into a cardiac arrest. Today, I live a completely normal life that involves daily exercise, basketball, running and biking. I am passionate about raising awareness about heart health and hope to prevent another athlete from going through what I have.