A family saga. A medical mystery. A fight to save lives.
Dear Friends and Valued Readers,
I’m excited to share Before the Last Heartbeat, a long-overdue true story written with the intimacy of a novel. It blends humor, tension, heartbreak, and a real-life medical mystery.
You’ll step into the world of a family who loved deeply—an ordinary family forced into an extraordinary fight for answers and survival. To understand what came next, you need to know who we were before everything changed: what made us laugh, what held us together, and how we loved before the heartbreak, before the unimaginable, before our world turned upside down.
Nancy Toran Duitch is a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist whose leadership has shaped some of the most recognizable consumer brands of the last three decades. A trailblazer in wellness, beauty, and lifestyle innovation, she has built, scaled, and successfully exited multiple companies through groundbreaking branding, e-commerce, and multi-channel marketing strategies.
Her career reflects not only creative vision and strategic foresight but also a profound sense of purpose.
In 1991, following the sudden deaths of her siblings, Nancy and her mother co-founded the Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS) Foundation, later joined by the Cardiac & Arrhythmia Research & Education (CARE) Foundation.
If you or someone you love has experienced any of the following:
• fainting (especially during exercise, stress, or excitement)
• a racing or irregular heartbeat
• unexplained dizziness
• seizure-like episodes
• a family history of sudden, unexplained death
Early screening can be lifesaving.
Key steps to consider:
First step: A simple ECG- bold this line
A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) can detect abnormalities such as QT prolongation. If an abnormality is found, further evaluation by a specialist is important. A referral to a cardiologist or electrophysiologist with expertise in inherited heart rhythm disorders is imperative.
Treatment matters
For many inherited arrhythmias, medications such as beta blockers can significantly reduce risk when properly prescribed and monitored. And for some an ICD maybe recommended.
Athletes
Pre-participation heart screening, including an ECG, can help identify dangerous rhythm disorders before sports activity begins.
For guidance and support – SADS Foundation (Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes Foundation)
This information is provided for awareness and education only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding diagnosis or treatment.
Hi,
I just visited beforethelastheartbeat.com and wondered if you’d ever thought about having an engaging video to explain what you do?
Our videos cost just $195 (USD) for a 30 second video ($239 for 60 seconds) and include a full script, voice-over and video.
I can show you some previous videos we’;ve done if you want me to send some over. Let me know if you’re interested in seeing samples of our previous work.
Regards,
Joanna
“This is not just a memoir — it’s a call to awareness. Before the Last Heartbeat reminds us how fragile life is, how one syndrome can ripple across generations, and how love endures. Nancy writes with clarity and grace, turning her family’s heartbreak into a story of purpose and strength.”
“Nancy opens her heart in this courageous telling of a family’s journey through SADS, and in doing so gives voice to the silent fears of so many. Her honesty, resilience and compassion shine through every page — she guides us through loss with dignity, hope and unflinching truth.”