Maggie Finnerty Completes the Pacific Crest Half Ironman as Heart Rhythm Foundation Fundraiser

Grateful ICD patient and triathlete celebrates 40th birthday competing in memory of her brothers, who died of sudden cardiac arrest

Maggie Finnerty celebrates finishing the Pacific Crest Triathlon — please support her by donating at www.firstgiving.com/maggiefinnerty. (See additional competition photos below). Maggie has chosen to focus on fundraising for the Foundation to enable research and public awareness of heart rhythm disorders; she and most of her immediate family have had defibrillators and pacemakers implanted because of two brothers' sudden death and her mother's diagnosis of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia..

July 23, 2010 —Continuing her remarkable efforts — so far she has nearly $30,000 for the Foundation — Maggie Finnerty completed the Pacific Crest Triathlon on Saturday, June 26, 2010. Maggie has contributed postings to the Heart Rhythm Society's blog, EP Insights, describing the rigors of competing and why she has chosen the Foundation as her beneficiary:

"Recently, I participated in the Pacific Crest Half Ironman in honor of my brothers, Kevin and Timmy, both of whom died more than 20 years ago due to sudden cardiac arrest. Both were athletes; neither had any prior arrhythmias and their deaths were a shock. Kevin died at only 20 years old, and 14 months later Timmy died at 15. Because they were both athletes, honoring their deaths with an athletic event seemed fitting to me. I have also made the Heart Rhythm Foundation the benefactor of my efforts because they have made great progress in diagnosing and treating sudden cardiac arrest over the last decade.
     "In addition to the physical training and stamina required to compete in a 70.3 mile race (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and 13.1 mile run), there was an emotional component to my training as well. I’ve had to tap into the grief (again) of losing two young, presumably healthy brothers, and the race fell on my 40th birthday (ugh)..."

Read post #1 »        Read post #2 »

Although the race is over, it's never too late to make a contribution in her name— please make a secure online donation via her fundraising page on Firstgiving! Your gift supports the Foundation's mission: to enhance the prevention and treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders by supporting the research, education and advocacy efforts of the Heart Rhythm Society.

"I can’t tell you for sure how many lives have been saved because of the work of the Heart Rhythm Foundation, but I can tell you that it has made much progress over the last few years. I am proud that our efforts have been even a small part of that progress," writes Maggie.

Maggie exits the water after completing the first stage of the triathlon. She is holding the red swim cap race organizers gave her to stand out from her group in case her defibrillator fired during the swim.
Competing in the second stage of the triathlon, a 56 mile bike ride.	Maggie is all smiles as she approaches the finish line of the Pacific Crest Triathlon.

You may also send a donation directly 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!

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