Hi All,

I really appreciate all of your so kind and thoughtful responses to my story. They have all truly meant a lot. Reading them has really inspired me to get more involved with my mother’s disease; some of you may know that I am a competitive bike racer and I am now deciding to race for the heart, much like Lance did for cancer. This is an issue that more and more people need to know about and as progress, I will always be racing for the heart, for all of you whose lives have been touched by the disease.

Again, I really appreciate all that you have had to say!

~ David Kessler

Fellow Mothers out there: please take the time to complete the Heart CheckUp and join the movement.

Wow, what an incredible response to my son David’s story. 

David is an incredible young man.  He is a kind, well mannered person who has such great passion for life.  I am very fortunate that he is very healthy and athletic.  He is quite the cyclist, road and down hill mountain bikes. 

My health has had quite an impact on his childhood.  He appreciates life and knows all about the importance of living life to the fullest and in the moment. 

On Saturday. we will be in Boulder for a time trial ride and then on Sunday we have a TV interview and then we’ll go on our traditional walk around the lake for our Mother’s Day tradition. 

I feel sad when I read how difficult my health issues have been on my son but I’m also grateful that he is able to articulate the impact that it has had on him. I’m incredibly fortunate that my husband Randy is such a great father to our son David.  They have a wonderful relationship and I credit Randy for creating a safe, loving and nurturing environment for David from the day our son was born.  

I’m very proud of David and what really means a lot to me is that he knows the importance of the  American Heart Association and that he is already a great advocate of living a healthy lifestyle. 

This could be the key to a lot more Mother’s Days with your children.

This last week, I went to see my son in his school play (all three performances) and gardened a great deal. I’m finally getting out and getting back into the real world. I’m putting more and more on my calendar while still being mindful to the fact that I’m not 100% yet. 

This week will be about reconnecting with friends and attending meetings at my son’s school. I’m one of the grade mothers for the 9th grade. This has been a great volunteer position that has kept me involved and in touch with the school and other parents.

Ironically one of the reasons that we chose the school that our son attends is because of it’s sense of community. We felt like he really needed a place that was not only academically strong but also provided a safe haven for him in the event that my health took a turn for the worst. 

These past few months proved that we made a great choice as not only did the other parents and staff nurture him but his classmates proved to be a source of great support for David. I think it has been hard for David in many ways because he never knows from day to day how I’m going to be feeling. Fortunately, Randy (my husband and David’s dad) is very sensitive to David’s feeling and takes on the role of Mom and Dad when I’m sick.  

Mother’s Day is less than a week away and I already feel like there is no better gift than the gift of being alive to celebrate another year with my son, David.

Tomorrow will the be our Go Red for Women Luncheon in Denver.  It’s pretty exciting!

Today the committee will load up everythng from the AHA office and take it down to Invesco Field(Home of the Denver Broncos) and set things up.  You talk about “coming a long way baby” after only 3 years we’ve outgrown the major hotels.  We are expecting another one of our famous Spring snow storms but as we say in Colorado: “If you don’t like the weather just wait 5 minutes and it will be different” so I’m hoping that even if we do get a storm things will clear up and the attendance will not be affected. 

This year’s luncheon is really going to be emotional for me as I always get teary eyed seeing so many friends and supporters that have been there for me so much during bad and good times.  There is also something so empowering about being around so many women that have the same common goal of eliminating heart disease. 

I look forward to telling you about our event.  Make sure that you check out the Go Red for Women event in your area.  It’s well worth your time.  Who knows? You might even pick up some life saving tips.

How healthy is your heart today? Click here to find out today: Heart CheckUp

PS: I have updated my “Weekly Thoughts”!

How heart healthy are you? Please take a moment to find out by clicking here: http://www.goredforwomen.org/hcu/index.aspx

I promise, the Heart CheckUp will only take a few minutes and your heart is your number one asset!

Have a great weekend.

Love you heart,
Dawn

Hello! Another great week in the land of the living. I’ve been increasing my exercise by primarily walking and enjoying the fresh air as much as possible. 

I’m also really excited about our Go Red for Women luncheon next week in Denver, Thursday April 10. To learn more about it, click here:

2008 Denver Metro Go Red For Women Luncheon

Unfortunately, for obvious reasons my invovlement this year has been getting auction items, making phone calls and tying ribbons at home but it still feels good to be involved. This event is particularly dear to me as 20 years ago there were not any events like this type around. The attention was still focused on men and heart disease. 

We’ve come a long way!  I encourage you to get involved with your local Go Red for Women events. It really is empowering. 

Happy Day!!!
Dawn

I just updated my “weekly thoughts.” Please visit to read more about my cardiac rehab experiences. Fun times.

How healthy is your heart today? To find out click here: Heart CheckUp

Mine is getting stronger each day…

Website Update

Thank you all for sharing your stories. Each and every one of you have truly inspired me. Please visit the “My letters to you” section. I have started responding to your comments and will keep doing so. May you have a wonderful week and check back in soon for more updates, stories etc.

How healthy is your heart today? Take the free online Heart CheckUp to find out!

Hi Everyone.

I just updated my “weekly thoughts” page and I have added a new section to the page titled “My Letters to You.” This section will let me communicate with each and everyone of you, who have taken the time to share your stories and comments on heart disease. I am hoping this will create a personal connection and also, a forum for all of us to interact, educate and inspire one another.

As always, if you have not taken the Heart CheckUp to find out the latest on your heart, please take a few minutes to do so.