Krystal Aylesworth

Every step has a reason! 💕

When I signed up for the Heart & Stroke 90KM Challenge, I knew I wanted to do something good for an organization that means a lot to me. But the more I’ve thought about it, the more I realize this challenge is about so much more than walking 90 kilometres.

It’s personal.

Heart disease and stroke have touched my family in ways I wish they hadn’t. I’ve watched people I love suffer through strokes, and I’ve lost several family members to heart attacks and heart conditions. These aren’t just statistics or medical terms to me. They’re people I loved. They’re memories, phone calls, empty chairs, and moments I wish I could have back.

And then there’s my daughter, Emma. ❤️

Emma was born with a hole in her heart also known as VSD and has needed to be monitored because of it. As a parent, there’s a particular kind of fear that comes with knowing something is different with your child’s heart. You learn to appreciate every normal appointment, every reassuring update, and every ordinary day that you get to watch your child grow.

So when I take these steps, I’m carrying all of that with me.

I’m walking for the family members we’ve lost.
I’m walking for the people still fighting.
I’m walking for the families sitting beside hospital beds, waiting for answers.
I’m walking for my daughter.
And I’m walking because I want there to be better outcomes, better treatments, and fewer families experiencing the heartbreak that mine has.

I’m doing this with my team, Heart Hustlers, and I would absolutely love for you to join us — whether that means joining the team, starting your own team, walking your own 90KM, or simply cheering us on from the sidelines.

And if walking isn’t something you can do, you can still make a difference. ❤️

Even a small donation helps support research, education, advocacy, and the work being done to help prevent heart disease and stroke and improve outcomes for those affected.

Every step matters. Every dollar matters. Every person who gets involved matters.

So here I am, putting one foot in front of the other — carrying a little bit of my family with me every kilometre.

90KM might sound like a long way.

But when you have a reason to keep going, you find the strength to take the next step. ❤️

For the ones we’ve lost. For the ones still fighting. For the ones we love.

Let’s get moving. ❤️‍🩹