Hello, My name is Ragan Lynch, Founder of Athletes Have Heart, a mother of four, a former track and volleyball athlete, and a triumphant three-time Open Heart Surgery Survivor. My personal journey with heart surgeries began when I was just 6 months old, and I faced my second surgery at the tender age of 8. The most recent and critical one occurred when I was 40 when I was diagnosed with a life-threatening Aortic Aneurysm when I was 4 months pregnant with my last child. Five weeks after giving birth to my baby girl whom I affectionately call my “Lifesaver”, I had my third and FINAL open heart surgery to repair the aneurysm which has claimed so many lives in the past. Some well-known celebrities and public figures that we all know had unfortunate fates:

John Ritter: The actor John Ritter, best known for his role on the TV series “Three’s Company,” passed away in 2003 due to an aortic dissection, which is a severe complication of an aortic aneurysm.

Albert Einstein: The renowned physicist Albert Einstein is reported to have died from an abdominal aortic aneurysm in 1955.

Lucille Ball: The beloved actress and comedian Lucille Ball passed away in 1989, and it was reported that her cause of death was a dissecting aortic aneurysm.

Alan Thicke: The actor, best known for his role on the TV show “Growing Pains,” died in 2016 due to a ruptured aorta, a type of aortic aneurysm.

Through these life-altering experiences, I’ve come to deeply understand the significance of regular heart screenings. But my journey doesn’t stop there. You see, my passion for fostering entrepreneurship in youth has deep roots, dating back to my own childhood. I cherished memories of fundraisers and going door-to-door, striving to be the top seller and win prizes at school. This passion stayed with me throughout my life.

Fast forward to the early 2000s when I was profoundly moved by stories of young athletes nationwide losing their lives on the field or court due to undetected heart issues. It was during this time that the concept of the Athletes Have Heart (AHH) Ambassador Program, a commission-based fundraiser, was born. For me, it was clear that raising awareness, providing education about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), and, most importantly, offering screenings were vital steps toward safeguarding our young athletes.

In 2023, AHH’s mission became a reality. By partnering with the esteemed MCORE Foundation, we not only aim to raise awareness but also take concrete steps to provide life-saving screenings. This partnership makes it possible to create a safer future for young athletes, empowering them to not only champion our mission but also earn income through the Athletes Have Heart Ambassador Program.

Our mission is about more than just awareness; it’s about action. MCORE Foundation’s expertise ensures that we can provide the screenings and preventative measures that are indispensable in protecting our youth.

Remember, every three days, an athlete’s life is tragically lost to SCA. That’s why we’re using the hashtag #Every3Days to draw attention to this critical issue. Look out for our signature shirt #Every3Days, post it, and share our mission with everyone, young and old, to save lives.

Get your Athletes Have Heart bracelet to support our youth and AHH events. Together, we can make a real difference.