Cardiovascular Disease Foundation

Help triathlete, Don Lopez, by donating to his campaign for healthy hearts! Proceeds benefit the Cardiovascular Disease Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization; tax ID #: 05-0536041 Don is a 38 year-old Carlsbad resident and devoted husband and father. He swims, bikes, and runs to improve his health, while sending a strong message to anyone listening. After recuperating from two heart attacks, Don became a triathlete and an advocate for educating people on the importance of taking care of their hearts early in life. He chooses to support the youth health and wellness education program offered by the Cardiovascular Disease Foundation. As a teenager, Don was aware of his family’s high-risk cardiac history. However, he really didn’t think much of it. And like most teens, he adopted a ‘this won’t affect me’ attitude. His life was pretty normal -- he played sports, hung out at the beach with friends, fell in love with his high-school sweetheart, Karen, and went off to college. Don and Karen were married in 1993 and they now have two children, Sofia (7) and Mateo (4). Early one morning in December 2003, Don had a heart attack. He was rushed to the ER and prepared for emergency cardiac catheterization to remove a complete blockage in his right coronary artery. Then, in September 2006, he experienced a second heart attack. These events left Don with permanent damage, resulting in a weak heart, only capable of pumping blood at a fraction of the rate of a normal heart. “There isn’t anything I can do to turn back time,” says Don. “I take my medication and get plenty of exercise. The most important thing I can do now is to make sure my kids are aware of the importance of good eating habits and a healthy lifestyle. Karen and I enjoy spending time with our kids being active outdoors. We also teach our kids about heart-healthy foods. My 4-year old son already looks at food labels and asks, ‘Daddy, how much percent fat is in this?’ I only wish every child were so aware.” To celebrate his recovery and raise ‘heart healthy’ awareness, Don is competing in several triathlon events leading up to his ultimate goal of completing Ironman Arizona on November 23rd, 2008. What is an Ironman? Try this on for size: 2.4 miles of swimming, followed by 112 miles of biking, followed by 26.2 miles of running! To prepare, he has been training with the Triathlon Club of San Diego. Planned Event Schedule: •Sunday Jun 29, Blazeman Olympic Triathlon, Huntington Beach •Sat. July 19, Camp Pendleton Olympic Triathlon •Sun. Aug. 17, America’s Finest City Half Marathon, San Diego •Sun. Sept. 7, Big Kahuna Half Ironman Triathlon, Santa Cruz •Sun. Nov. 23, Ironman Arizona , Tempe, AZ Make your donation today to help Don reach his goal to fund the CVDF’s Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids program. Read more about HHHK at http://www.cvdf.org/hhhk.asp To donate with a check please make checks payable to CVD Foundation and mail to: CVD Foundation 3088 Pio Pico Dr. #202 Carlsbad, CA 92008 *memo Don Lopez on checks "I can't think of a better way to give back than to educate the young" -Triathlete and two-time heart attack survivor, Don Lopez .. , .. Program Mission: To promote heart healthy habits and physical activity among families, young children and teens through education and outreach while empowering adults to be role models. Discovery Stations are set up at schools and community centers. Objects such as fake fat and fast food models, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, and heart and lung models are provided allowing children a hands-on experience to play and learn. Children participate in fun and safe physical activities designed by athletic trainers.