Being able to run the iconic Boston Marathon® is a dream for most runners, but for rookie teammate, Kate Carney, her dream and drive go far beyond that finish line on Boylston Street.
“I’m not just chasing a finish line at the Boston Marathon; I’m running to reclaim a future that heart disease stole from my father,” explained Kate. “Every mile I run is in his memory as a proud member of Tedy’s Team.”
In 2012, during her last semester of her Nurse Practitioner Program, Kate’s dad, Mike, passed away from heart disease. He was only 48 years old.
After he passed away, Kate and her family learned that Mike had triple vessel disease (TVD)[1], which is a severe type of coronary artery disease (CAD)[2] where three of the heart’s major arteries have significant blockages or narrowing.
Since finding out their family history of TVD, Kate’s aunt had to continuously advocate for herself when she started experiencing symptoms. She was finally diagnosed with TVD as well and is now doing great.
When Kate joined Tedy’s Team this past December, she was eager to turn her miles into awareness, and her heartbreak into a legacy of hope for other families.
“My motivation is rooted in the devastating reality of losing my father at such a young age,” Kate explained. “Running for Tedy’s Team is my active way of honoring him and ensuring that other families don’t face that same sudden loss that my family and I experienced.”
As a Nurse Practitioner, Kate’s clinical passion is on prevention and risk factor management. She spends her days educating patients about healthy lifestyle choices: diet, exercise and stress management; all things that help lower your risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
“For me, running is the embodiment of heart health,” said Kate. “I actively seek the physical and mental benefits of the sport, and my personal commitment to running serves as a powerful, living testimonial to a heart-healthy lifestyle.”
Next month, Kate and her teammates will honor their heart and stroke heroes as they take on the 130th Boston Marathon® presented by Bank of America. To support Kate’s fundraising and awareness efforts, please visit her personal fundraising page and learn more about heart disease and how you can lower your risk factors.
[1] Triple Vessel Disease (TVD): a more advanced form of CAD where blockages affect all three major coronary arteries: the left anterior descending, the left circumflex, and the right coronary artery. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue, and it is a serious condition that can lead to a heart attack or heart failure if untreated.
[2] Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): a condition caused by the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, which are the blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygenated blood.
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