About

Our Story: From Bystander to Advocate

It was a normal Thursday until it wasn't.

When I witnessed a classmate suffer a sudden cardiac arrest in the middle of the school day, the "invincibility" of being a teenager vanished. For days afterward, the weight of that moment stayed with us. I realized how quickly a life can change and, more importantly, how unprepared I felt to help.

Driven by that experience, Kalea Stocker (Founder) launched The Heart Hope Project.

I started diving into the data and realizing my experience wasn't an isolated incident. Heart disease and cardiac emergencies impact every demographic, yet many students lack the basic knowledge to respond. I decided that I wouldn't just be "impacted" by what I saw— I would be the one to make a change.

The Mission

Currently, the Heart Hope Project is in it's fundraising era. Through my original t-shirt and sweatshirt collections, I am raising money for the American Heart Association to fund life-saving research and medical advancements.

The Vision (Senior Year)

As I head into my senior year, I am leveling up. Phase 2 of the Heart Hope Project marks the launch of an on-campus club designed to bridge the gap between awareness and action. My goal is to host guest speakers and provide professional CPR certification for students, ensuring that no one on my school campus ever feels like a helpless bystander again.

I'm not just selling clothes; I'm building a community that’s educated, equipped, and heart-healthy.