City to Surf for Long QT

When I was 28 I suffered a cardiac arrest. I was a fit, healthy triathlete that had represent Australia at the Triathlon and Duathlon World Championships less than 6 months earlier. I was taken to hospital, diagnosed with a deadly genetic heart condition, and released 3 weeks later with an ICD (an implantable defibrillator) in my chest. I had to give up the sport I loved overnight and face some pretty challenging home truths about what my future looked like. This was not my plan - much of my definition of myself came from being good at sport. 

I have since had 3 rounds of surgery to keep my heart going by getting new ICD’s, and also faced what it feels like to be defibrillated back to life - which as you can imagine is very confronting.

I know that every day I live is a gift granted to me by all the engineers and medical professionals that have created this life saving device, the researchers who continue to improve the device, the team of clinicians who monitor me multiple times a year, and the technology that sits in my chest and at my bedside table to catch any naughty heart rhythms (or lack of).

This year I am running in the city to surf with a number of people from Alcidion - the company that has supported me from before I knew about my condition to the current day, a company that has never limited the opportunities given to me because of my heart - for which I am eternally grateful.

Please consider throwing some money towards the heart foundation, they deserve it. 

Thank you. 

Blurb from heart foundation is below.

I’ve taken on a challenge to Do it for Heart!

I’m passionate about saving Australian Hearts and I need your help to create change. That’s why I’m fundraising for the Heart Foundation – and I hope you’ll support me in this.

Heart disease remains Australia’s biggest killer, claiming 48 lives every day. Your donation will help the Heart Foundation to transform Australia’s heart health by:

• Funding life-changing heart research

• Supporting health professionals working to prevent, diagnose and treat heart disease

• Providing heart-healthy programs and resources for everyday Australians.

Please make a donation today, click the donate button. Every donation, big or small will help me get closer to my goal.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible and you’ll get a receipt by email as soon as you make your donation

Thank you for your support.