Sue Edson is President of ARVDHeart for Hope, a Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation she created in 2010 to increase awareness of ACM heart disease and to raise funds for the ACM research program at the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center in Tucson, Arizona.

Sue’s daughter, Lindsey Beechwood, was diagnosed with ARVD, a life-threatening, rare heart disease, when she was 21 years old. Lindsey received an ICD a few weeks after her diagnosis to reduce her risk of sudden cardiac death and to correct her heart rhythms. She continues to do well with her diagnosis.  Lindsey is Sue’s motivation and inspiration.

In 2011, Sue expanded ARVDHeart for Hope‘s mission by advocating for AEDs in schools to help prevent sudden cardiac death in children and adults who have not been diagnosed or are misdiagnosed with cardiovascular disorders. In November 2011, ARVDHeart for Hope, along with two local businesses, donated the first AED to Mesa County Valley School District 51, Sue’s local school district in Grand Junction, CO. A year later, with the help of Sue, Dr. Danny Mistry, and Community Hospital of Grand Junction, Mesa County Valley School District 51 established an AED Program for all Mesa County schools.

Sue received the “People You Can Count On Award” in 2012 from local News Channel 5 recognizing ARVDHeart for Hope’s commitment to having AEDs readily available in Mesa County, and for her help with her local School District’s AED Program.

In May 2013, Sue co-authored a manuscript with Dr. Frank I. Marcus, Tucson, Arizona, and Dr. Jeffrey A. Towbin, Cincinnati, OH, titled “Genetics of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: A Practical Guide for Physicians” which was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Also in 2013, Sue received the “Hero of Western Colorado Award” for the American Red Cross/Western Colorado Chapter. She was also a grant award recipient by the Junior Service League of Grand Junction and the Kiwanis Club of Grand Junction.

In addition to her nonprofit, Sue served as a member of the Community Hospital Foundation Board of Directors in Grand Junction, CO, from 2012- 2017.

Prior to creating ARVDHeart for Hope, Sue worked as a paralegal for 20 years. She earned a B.S. with Honors degree in Sociology from Oklahoma State University.