Personal goal to raise awareness and funds for SCAD

Why I’m Walking for MyMarathon ❤️‍🩹

On December 22, 2024, just days before Christmas, I was admitted to hospital with chest pain. I was a keen gym-goer and was feeling the fittest I had been in years. So when the doctor told me my blood tests were indicating a heart attack, I was completely shocked. After a whirlwind of tests, scans, monitoring, and an angiogram, I was diagnosed with something I’d never even heard of before: Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD).

SCAD is rare, and there's still so little information or awareness about it. The experience was scary, surreal, and completely unexpected - but my motivation was simple: I just wanted to get home and be healthy for my family.

Recovery has been slow, both physically and emotionally but I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received from my family, friends, neighbours, and workmates. That support, and the strength I’ve found through this journey, is why I’ve signed up for the Heart Foundation NZ’s MyMarathon this May.

I'm walking to:

• Encourage myself to get moving again 🏃‍♀️

• Raise awareness for SCAD 💔

• And raise funds for heart research and support services 🧡

If you'd like to support me on this journey, every step and every dollar counts. Let’s help make sure more hearts get the chance to keep beating strong.