Keeping on Beating Campaign
Writer, Graphics: Savannah T. / Chapter Submitted Photos
“My mother was my twin, inspiration, and best friend,” says Julia Ann C. about her mother, Susan C., with a smile. “She was the smartest woman I have ever met and had the kindest heart in the world. She accomplished every goal she set her mind to and taught me from a young age to be sincere, driven, and [to appreciate] the importance of family.”
On October 15th, 2019, Susan C. passed away at the age of 51. She was a driven individual and had a successful career, even founding her own financial services business. Her caring heart and philanthropist attitude was well known as she dedicated her time to several charities in her community. Her daughter notes that her mother “left her legacy all on her own” and that her “lively presence will not be forgotten soon.” Like Julia Ann C., Susan C. was a proud FSU and Panhellenic alumni.
“I cannot begin to explain all that Phi Mu and Panhellenic did for me during such a hard time,” Julia Ann C. recalls. “Dozens of letters and gifts poured in, not just from my sisters at Phi Mu, but from other chapters in our community as well. My mom was a Pi Beta Phi at Florida State, and always had such a love for our community, which has proven to be so special.”
A month after her passing, her family learned she had been suffering from a heart disease called Dilated Cardiomyopathy, which had gone undiagnosed despite several doctor visits and was the cause of death. This new revelation prompted Julia Ann C. to look into First Coast, which is her local chapter of the American Heart Association, and Go Red for Women, which is an initiative created by the American Heart Association to increase awareness and create change for women’s heart health.
“I knew I wanted to give every effort I could to our city of Jacksonville, and to every family and parent and child who suffers every single day from a heart attack or disease,” says Julia Ann C.
Eager to give back and spread awareness about heart disease, Julia Ann C. partnered with First Coast and Go Red for Women to start her own fundraising campaign, entitled “Keep on Beating.” The name has a dual meaning; it means to raise money and awareness to keep hearts physically beating as well as continue the fight of beating heart disease. Not only did First Coast and Go Red for Women help Julia Ann C. with her marketing and communications plan, but Julia Ann C. also made Keep on Beating her platform while she competed for the Miss Jacksonville title in the Miss America competition.
When Julia Ann C.’s Keep on Beating fundraising campaign went live, she had the goal of raising $1,000 in one month. She met her goal in less than eight hours.
“I immediately started crying and I called my dad...I was in complete shock for a few hours. It goes to prove how many people love and adored my mother, and how personal of an issue this is for SO many people,” says Julia Ann C. “Nearly half of Americans will be affected by heart disease or a heart attack in their lifetime, with one American dying every 37 seconds due to it. It hits home for many, and it was comforting to know how many people aside from our family have also been affected.”
As of right now, Julia Ann C. has raised more than $3,700 through her Keep on Beating fundraising campaign and she plans to continue her work as well as her partnership. While COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in some of her fundraising plans, she intends to have several events, shop and share with local stores, attend the Heart Walk with a team and create a website for her fundraiser when the world re-opens.
“With the issue of heart disease being so heavy in our country, the fundraiser so far has been just a drop in the ocean. There are dozens of ideas and events and gatherings that can be done, and I plan to continue them as long as I can,” says Julia Ann C. “I am so incredibly thankful for every single dollar, person, share, and message that has come from Keep On Beating. It is so inspiring to know that other people care so deeply about this just the same as I do.”