Pamela and Kevin Leonard
When Persistence Leads to Purpose
Two days before their wedding, Pam and Kevin Leonard were immersed in the joy and excitement of their upcoming nuptials. Surrounded by loved ones and finalizing the details for their big day, life felt full of promise. But then Kevin began to feel unwell—his heart racing irregularly, leaving him breathless and uneasy.
A visit to the hospital that evening brought no clarity. The doctors assured him it was merely pre-wedding jitters. “You’re just anxious,” they said, dismissing his concerns as stress about the event. Though Kevin left the hospital that night, the strange and unsettling episodes continued.
Months turned into a year of searching for answers. During that time, Kevin was repeatedly told there was nothing wrong. “You’re young, healthy, and active,” they’d say, pointing to his ability to pass stress tests with ease. Yet Kevin knew something was wrong. He felt it every time his heart raced uncontrollably or slowed to a near standstill, taking his breath away.
Finally, after wearing a heart monitor for an extended period, Kevin was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and premature ventricular contractions (PVC). These conditions caused his heart to alternate between racing too fast and slowing so much that it seemed to stop entirely. “It was validating to finally know I wasn’t just imagining things,” Kevin shared.
Pam recalls how frustrating the journey was for them both. “Every doctor we went to said, ‘You don’t look like a heart patient,’ as if there’s a mold for what heart disease should look like. Kevin knew what he was feeling, but it was hard to be dismissed over and over again.”
The experience reinforced to the Leonards just how crucial research and advocacy are in addressing heart disease, particularly the need to recognize that not every patient presents the same way. “Heart disease doesn’t discriminate by age or appearance,” Pam explained. “That’s why advancing research and care is so important—it saves lives.”
Because Kevin was able to receive a correct diagnosis, his conditions are under control. He and Pam are able to live full, active, and healthy lives with their son, Ryker.
In their personal and professional lives, the Leonards have always believed in giving back. Pam, who has worked in nonprofit fundraising and planned giving for nearly two decades, knew that supporting the fight against heart disease was a cause that deeply resonated with their family’s journey.
Though far from retirement, Pam and Kevin recently made the thoughtful decision to establish a deferred charitable gift annuity (CGA) with the American Heart Association. They saw it as a way to create a lasting impact while planning for their future.
“At our age, we don’t need the income right now,” Pam explained. “But this deferred CGA will guarantee us supplemental income starting when Kevin turns 65, when we’re more likely to need it. It’s a way to invest in our future while supporting a cause that’s close to our hearts.”
Through their deferred CGA, the Leonards are helping to advance health and hope for future generations. They’re proud to know their gift will support critical research and patient care that can lead to earlier diagnoses and better outcomes for people like Kevin.
“No one knows what the future will bring,” Pam shared. “This was an opportunity to invest in our future while making sure we’re taking care of our family and supporting a cause we believe in at the same time.”