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Maggie Finnerty to Run Marathon as Heart Rhythm Foundation Fundraiser
Amazing woman runs to raise money — more than $15,000 to date — to eradicate the heart rhythm disease that has taken two members of her family and threatens many more
Updated September 9, 2009 — Maggie 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.
More than twenty-five years ago two of Maggie Finnerty’s 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 athletic siblings was unknown and doctors were stumped. Other than knowing it was ‘some kind of electrical trouble’ with their hearts, they could not tell what killed them. Compounding the tragedies was the fact that “they could not tell if the same thing might happen to the rest of us,” says Finnerty.
Fast forward twenty years, and Maggie’s mother was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia — where the heart beats so fast that it can no longer pump blood throughout the body, robbing the body of oxygen. In severe cases, this condition can instantly kill even the healthiest person.
“Part of the problem is with diagnostics,” says Finnerty. “While some tests can prove a person has the condition, a negative test result doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have it — it just means the condition didn’t manifest itself during the testing. Thus, it is difficult to know who has it, and who doesn’t.”
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| Maggie Finnerty crosses the finish line. Finnerty is one of seven family members who have received implantable cardiac defibrillators to protect against non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. |
“Most of our family (four siblings, two nephews, one niece and myself) have received an implantable cardiac defibrillator. If the heart races to a deadly pace, the defibrillator should shock the heart and restore a normal rhythm,” says Finnerty.
Fundraising on behalf of the Heart Rhythm Foundation, Finnerty will be competing in the Timberline Marathon on Saturday, September 19, 2009. Previously she raised more than $11,000 for the Foundation by competing in the Pacific Crest Half Ironman in 2005. She also raised thousands more competing in the New York City Marathon in 2006. Please help Maggie surpass those remarkable endeavors by making a secure online donation via her fundraising page on Firstgiving As of September 9, she was at 75% of her target — please help her meet or exceed her goal!
The Timberline Marathon is Oregon’s signature trail running event, traversing down Mt. Hood with a 3,000 feet net elevation loss. The race advertises itself as an amazing sensory journey beginning high on Mt Hood to shimmering Timothy Lake nestled in the high Cascades. “The course is incredibly challenging — very hilly, and there’s even a section with ‘wild cows’ roaming about!” says Finnerty. “It is a beautiful course, but one of the hardest out there.”
Please support Maggie Finnerty, grateful patient of Dr. Ronald Petersen, in this most 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.
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.
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