In 2021, on my 21st birthday, I unexpectedly lost my dad to a severe asthma attack. That day flipped my world upside down. He was here, completely fine, one day and suddenly gone the next.

One word to describe my dad? PASSION. He poured his heart into just about everything he did — whether it be music, his hobbies, or the people he loved. He had a rare ability to bring people together and turn ordinary days into lasting memories.

Everyday I miss my dad.

Asthma may seem like a small thing — an inhaler, a cough, a bit of wheezing — but it affects over 25 million people in the U.S. alone, and hundreds of millions around the world. For many, it’s a daily struggle. For some, it’s life-threatening.

Kickin’ Asthma was created to honor my dad’s memory and carry forward his spirit. It’s a day to unite for a cause, and have some fun.