My name is Christen Clark, and I am the founder of Healthy Heart Hope Inc. My journey into heart health advocacy began in junior high school, when my older brother was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. His diagnosis not only introduced me to the realities of chronic illness but also ignited a deep and lasting interest in medicine.

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As a family, we were suddenly thrust into a world of hospital visits, medical terminology, and constant uncertainty. The fear and anxiety were overwhelming, and we had no roadmap—no real understanding of what heart disease was or how to navigate it. Eventually, my brother's condition became so severe that he needed a heart transplant. Miraculously, just one day after being placed on the donor list, he received a call that would forever change our lives.

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That experience revealed a painful truth: we knew almost nothing about heart disease. And we weren’t alone. So many families, particularly in underserved communities, face similar challenges—battling a disease they don’t fully understand, with limited access to preventive care and education.

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That’s what inspired me to start Healthy Heart Hope Inc.—a nonprofit committed to closing the gap in heart health education and access. Our mission is to inform, empower, and support underrepresented individuals by providing education on prevention, early detection, and healthy lifestyle habits. We also guide individuals toward critical heart health screenings and resources that can lead to earlier intervention and better outcomes.