Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Johnson. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Amy Johnson: Rock from the Heart founder and executive director. Owner of Maratona Communication Inc. Substitute teacher. Freelance journalist.
Tired of the daily grind and long commutes, Amy left corporate America in 2008 to start her own telecom consulting company. Her niche is working with small companies (2-30 employees), who have been tossed aside by the telecom giants when it comes to dedicated service. It is in this space that Amy feels she has the most impact; helping small businesses that don’t have the time or resources to manage their daily phone and internet needs.
In 2015, Amy’s life turned upside down when her husband, Pete, was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening heart condition. After successful open-heart surgery in 2017, Amy and Pete formed Rock from the Heart, a charity focused on helping people diagnosed with aortic disease. While Amy still operates her telecom consulting company, she now pours her heart and soul into Rock from the Heart. After learning firsthand how incredibly frightening the diagnosis of aortic disease can be, their mission is to help others learn the basics surrounding aortic disease so they can be the best possible advocates for themselves when it comes to making medical decisions.
Amy has been giving back since she was a teenager and continues to be an active volunteer in the local community. She began her dive into fundraising when she decided to run her first marathon at the age of 32 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Amy caught the “running bug” and would run seven more full marathons (and multiple 5K, 10K, and half marathons) over the next 10 years.
In addition to her volunteer work with Rock from the Heart, Amy is a board member of the Delano Area Council for Arts and Culture and founded the Delano Community Band. If that wasn’t enough to keep her busy, Amy is also a freelance journalist for Herald Journal Publishing.
Amy and Pete have five adult children in their blended family. They are now empty nesters and live in Delano, MN with their two dogs and two cats – all rescues!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Challenges include juggling my professional duties — the paid jobs — with my passion: our nonprofit, Rock from the Heart. After many years of running a successful telecom consulting company, as the corporate telecom giants changed their focus, it became difficult to support the smaller companies.
I’ve spent the last several years shifting my focus, pouring more energy into the things I am passionate about – writing, teaching, and philanthropy.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Rock from the Heart – where my passion is and where I focus my energies:
At Rock from the Heart, we’re not just changing lives; we’re saving them with the power of music. We’re on a mission to transform the landscape of aortic disease awareness, advocacy, and patient support. We believe in the healing power of music and the strength of the community. Now, we’re asking you to join us in this life-saving symphony.
Our Mission: Our charity, Rock from the Heart, is dedicated to bridging the gap between aortic disease patients and the support they need. Our mission is simple: to create a community of support, awareness, and advocacy for aortic disease patients and their families.
After a diagnosis of aortic valve disease and an aortic aneurysm in 2015, Pete and Amy Johnson learned firsthand the lack of information and lack of resources available regarding aortic conditions. The Johnsons were frustrated and disheartened by how much conflicting advice and misinformation they received from different doctors and online resources.
Living through the experience, they realized all the doom and gloom on the internet was not the true story for most patients with aortic disease. The Johnsons embarked on a journey to share the details of their experience— and the hope they eventually found– so others faced with a similar diagnosis are not left searching for answers.
The Johnsons founded Rock from the Heart after Pete’s open-heart surgery in 2017 to raise awareness and lessen fears about aortic conditions. Knowledge is powerful when it comes to your health.
· Rock from the Heart supports families from diagnosis to recovery by connecting them with resources and information that is often hard to find.
· When families know the basics surrounding aortic disease, they will know how to be the best possible advocate for themselves when it comes to making medical decisions.
Awareness is key to survival. Rock from the Heart events help bring the condition to the forefront.
Through concerts and education events, Rock from the Heart uses music to inspire and provide hope to people affected by aortic disease
So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why.
Why it matters: Aortic diseases, including aortic aneurysms and dissections, are silent killers. They often strike without warning, and early diagnosis is critical. Patients need support, education, and advocacy to navigate this complex healthcare landscape and receive life-saving treatment. Rock from the Heart is their lifeline.
What we do:
• Patient Advocacy: We provide advocacy for aortic disease patients, ensuring they have access to the best medical care, specialists, and treatment options. We fight for their rights and raise our voices on their behalf.
• Support and Education: We offer support groups, resources, and educational programs for patients and their families. Knowledge is power, and we empower them with information to make informed decisions.
• Inspiration: We use the power of music to uplift the spirits of people and families affected by aortic disease, We provide them an opportunity to see survivors truly rock the opening act at each benefit concert.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rockfromtheheart.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockfromtheheart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockFromTheHeart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyj-rockfromtheheart/
- Twitter: @rockfromthheart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RockfromtheHeart
