About IronHeart Foundation
“Strength isn’t about how long we can go before we break. It’s about how far one can get after they've been broken.” David Watkins
Ironheart founder, David Watkins, was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, aneurysm, as well as an abnormal arrhythmia. A seventeen-hour open-heart surgery followed, during which David flat-lined and was without a functional heart beat for 5 minutes. Luckily, his medical team was fast to respond. With a second chance at living, David had a vision to form an organization where cardiac patients could come together from across the globe, share stories, and ultimately regain a healthy lifestyle through sport.
Because the Ironheart Foundation was built on tragedy to triumph, the Ironheart Team will always be the "foundation" to the Foundation. Ironheart today includes members from 48 states and 19 countries participating in a variety of athletic events, annually raising awareness for heart disease and celebrating life. Members include individuals who have heart disease, or are touched by it, physicians, friends, supporters, and those who are simply striving to lead a heart-healthy, active life.
Whether you are training to walk or run your first 5k, earn a podium spot, participate in a specialty sport, or want to become active, the Ironheart Team is the place for you. The Ironheart community will help you get back on your feet again one step and one beat at a time. While their roots may be in triathlon and running, they are bringing in new members who enjoy all kinds of exciting healthy activities such as hiking, mountain biking, dancing, and various water sports. Whatever inspires you to get active, you will find support with the Ironheart Team. They believe that you can THRIVE and not just SURVIVE heart disease.
Ultimately, the Ironheart Team is whatever you make of it. The more you connect, the more we get to inspire. To join, please fill out the membership script under the community tab. It's free.
For more information about the Ironheart Team, please emailinfo@ironheartfoundation.org.
Kyle Watson is an elite cardiac athlete and CTO of the Ironheart Foundation.
VOLUNTEER, IT"S FUN! Questions?
Please submit your message under the Contact Us link and allow at least 24 hours for a response.
Learn more about the Meals on Wheels of Johnson & Ellis Counties at https://www.mowjec.org.
Read the stories from several recipients and volunteers. Find out how you can become a volunteer or help make an elderly life more meaningful (by allowing them to stay at home while remainig self-sufficient and healthy) through your time and donations. Each donation of $5 means a meal, with $35 supporting a week's worth of meals. It is a great feeling to help!
"Some of these people only receive the visits that I provide because they have no one else that visits them, and that makes me proud to be a
volunteer."
H. Diggs, 2017
Founded in 1977, the organization currently serves 3,000 people a year in a two-county service area that covers more than 1,700 square miles.
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