On Thrusday, June 6th, Fletcher Tilton Paralegal Kamalini Perkins will be running with team Fletcher’s Flyers in the American Heart Association’s Boston Lawyers Have Heart Road Race. Below she discusses her inspiration for supporting the cause.
What inspired you to participate in the Lawyers Have Heart 5k and support the American Heart Association?
(Kamalini) What inspired me to run this race is to support all the advances that the American Heart Association has provided for the prevention and cure of heart disease. My dad was in his early 50’s when he suffered a heart attack working as an ER doctor at St. Vincent’s Hospital Emergency room. He was treated for his symptoms quickly and eventually had triple by-pass surgery. Dad possessed no risk factors for heart disease as he was healthy, had good diet, thin and physically fit (well maybe except for the stress of being an ER physician). Further heart testing showed that he had a congenital narrowing of an artery that caused the heart attack. This defect was identified in both of his siblings as well, prompting them to undergo by-pass surgery. Thirty years later, my dad is still a practicing physician but not in the ER! About a year ago, he was advised by his cardiologist to get a cutting edge pace maker. He says the pacemaker has improved his heart function. I am so thankful for all research and advancements the American Heart Association provides, and hopefully we are able to prevent heart disease in the future.
How have you been preparing and training for the 5k?
(Kamalini) I exercise 7 days a week and run about every other day. I play tennis, and do HIIT and weight training which I feel improves my overall cardiovascular health.
What message would you like to send to your colleagues, friends, and family about the importance of supporting the American Heart Association and events like Lawyers Have Heart?
(Kamalini) With every little bit of help and support we are making a difference in hopefully eradicating or mitigating heart disease.
As a paralegal, how do you feel events like Lawyers Have Heart contribute to the public perception of the legal profession and its role in the community?
(Kamalini) It shows that we are supporting a very important cause in our society.