Cardiac Moms Race with Heart: Virtual Walk, Run, Cycle

Whether you plan to walk, skip, jump, run or cycle we have an event and a distance for you.  No matter which event you choose, you will help us make an impact to raise awareness of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) and funds to Benefit the American Heart Association (AHA). 

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is heart failure caused by pregnancy and a leading cause of maternal death in the United States, yet one of the least talked about. Most pregnant women have never heard of it and do not know that it is a possible complication. Due to many PPCM symptoms being similar to those of pregnancy, it is often misdiagnosed as "normal pregnancy symptoms", "anxiety" and even pneumonia or bronchitis. PPCM is completely treatable if caught early enough.  Some women recover with very little damage to their hearts while others end up with hardware or a new heart to keep them alive.  Unfortunately the number is growing for the women who do not get the diagnosis soon enough and are taken from their families too soon. With spreading awareness it is our hope to give more women and their partners the knowledge and power to self advocate for themselves during their pregnancy. No family should experience such a scary situation during what should be the best time of their lives.

About Us: Cardiac Moms

Shirley and Lindsay are the dynamic duo behind Cardiac Moms and are both PPCM survivors.  Prior to our pregnancies and our heart failure, we were both avid athletes.  Shirley cycling 50+ miles a week prior to her pregnancy. Lindsay Running 15-20 miles a week through her first trimester with twins. Heart disease and especially heart failure was never something we thought would be a complication during our pregnancies.  Yet we both ended up in the ICU when our babies were less than a week old. We are both lucky enough to have had amazing medical teams and treatment plans.  We have both recovered to normal heart function levels and are running and cycling again.

We have been nominated by the American Heart Association as Women of Impact for the 2021 Go Red for Women Campaign. Woman of Impact nominees are changemakers and leaders with a fierce passion for improving the health and wellness of our community and closing the gaps on health inequities. Nominees form an impact team that competes to earn points in fundraising and with direct impact and wellness activities like going for walks or learning CPR. At the conclusion of the 8 week spring campaign, the woman with the most points is named the first-ever RDU Woman of Impact.

 Help us make an impact by joining our race and raising funds for the AHA.

#WatchMeMakeAnImpact #CardiacMoms # PPCM #PPCMfit