Triathlete Maggie Finnerty Continues Fundraising for the Heart Rhythm Foundation

Grateful patient competes to raise money — more than $20,000 to date — to eradicate the heart rhythm disease that has taken two members of her family and threatens many more

Maggie Finnerty shows off her medal after the Timberline Marathon in September 2009, also a fundraising effort supporting the Foundation. "This year is a big milestone for me...I am turning 40 in June, and decided such a big birthday deserves a big race," says Finnerty. Please support her fundraising efforts on behalf of the Foundation by pledging online. Finnerty is one of seven family members who have received ICDs to protect against non-sustained ventricular tachycardia.

May 26, 2010 — "I received my defibrillator six years ago, and began raising money for the Heart Rhythm Foundation," says Maggie Finnerty. "My first race was the Pacific Crest Half Ironman in 2005 — I raised about $12,000 that year. Since then, I've run two marathons on behalf of the Foundation, raising about $5,000 for each marathon."

Continuing her remarkable efforts — she has raised more than $20,000 for the Foundation to date — Finnerty will be competing in the Pacific Crest Triathlon on Saturday, June 26, 2010. Please make a secure online donation via her fundraising page on Firstgiving and help her meet or exceed her goal of raising $10,000 this year!

As reported in 2009, Finnerty has chosen to focus on fundraising to enable research and public awareness so that in the future, other families don’t have to suffer as hers has. Nearly 30 years ago, two of her brothers, Kevin, 20, and Timmy, 15, both died in their sleep, with the deaths occurring approximately 14 months apart. At the time the cause of the deaths of these young men was unknown — both were healthy and fit, college and high school athletes.

But six years ago Finnerty's mother was diagnosed with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, and doctors are now certain that this is what killed her brothers. “There is still no definitive diagnostic test for the condition — so 'just in case' most of my immediate family (including my brother, four sisters, two nephews, and one niece) and I have had defibrillators and pacemakers implanted,” said Finnerty.

Please support Maggie Finnerty, grateful patient of Dr. Ronald Petersen, in this worthwhile endeavor by donating at www.firstgiving.com/maggiefinnerty.

You may also send a donation to the Heart Rhythm Foundation, the mission of which is to enhance the prevention and treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders by supporting the research, education and advocacy efforts of the Heart Rhythm Society. If you choose to mail your own check or donate online via this website, please be sure to include her name as you do in recognition of her inspiring example. Please check to see if your employer offers a matching gifts opportunity to maximize your donation!

Thank you for supporting Maggie — your contribution will enable the Society to be the primary resource for healthcare professionals and the voice of support for patients with cardiac arrhythmia disorders.

If you have questions about the Heart Rhythm Foundation, please contact Betsy Bogdansky at (202) 464-3454 or bbogdansky@HRSonline.org.