Life’s full of highs & lows. How do we respond?

My passion and dedication to basketball started when I was a young kid growing up in Orange County, CA. By the time I graduated high school, I was a four-year varsity member of the Mater Dei Boys Basketball team with two CIF and two CA State Championships under my belt. Life was good.

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My Junior year I was honored with the CIF Sportsmanship Award, which was a momentous goal for me, but at the same time my mom and my rock, Brigitte, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic illness with no known cure. With this diagnosis, I had to take on a lot of unexpected duties at home and was forced to grow up faster than typical 17-year olds. When it was time to look beyond high school, I turned down smaller Division 1 basketball scholarships to be a preferred walk on at UCLA — a choice also allowed me to stay close to home.

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My mom suddenly passed away from complications with multiple sclerosis the summer before my sophomore year at UCLA, it was devastating. I turned to my Christian faith, my family and friends, and channeled my grief into dedication — dedication to my mom’s legacy and all that she taught me. With the love and support of family and friends, I returned for my sophomore year with a newfound purpose in life - to find a cure in her honor.

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Through all the highs and lows that I’ve experienced so far, what continues to motivate me every day is my mom, Brigitte. She instilled a mentality that I strive to live by everyday: count your blessings, live by the golden rule and never give up.

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Heart of Hope is inspired by my experiences and what I’ve learned, dealing not only with my personal story, but in meeting so many brave people along the way. I vow that anyone affected by ANY debilitating disease, trauma or injustice will always know there is a supportive and loving community for them. No matter what you’re dealing with, there is hope, and Heart of Hope is where you can find it.

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Blake Arnet, Founder of Heart of Hope