I was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome after my sister suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in 2010. Fortunately, due to the quick action of family administering CPR and paramedics using an AED, she survived. In a big way, my sister also saved my life. Without her diagnosis, I would not have known that I had this Long QT Syndrome. I never had any symptoms until a little over a year after I received my ICD. I had a cardiac event where my ICD saved my life. Doctors now believe that our mother passed away from the same condition when she was 26.

It can be quite intimidating to be young and living with a heart condition but, what I always remind myself is that we are not alone….and we have been given this chance at life for a reason. Everything that we have been through has really shown me how special and fragile life is. This has made me want to reach out to others and offer support and create awareness of how important CPR and AED’s are in saving lives.