There’s still time to register for the April 13th Dutchess Ulster Heart Walk at its new location, Dutchess Community College. The event tackles heart disease and stroke, the number one and five killers, in two ways—miles walked, and dollars raised. Walking gets hearts pumping to help prevent these leading killers, and the funds raised will support the lifesaving research of the American Heart Association. Registration is open for the Heart Walk at www.dutchessulsterheartwalk.org.
Teams and individuals are welcome to join the Heart Walk to walk for their own hearts and fitness, or to walk in honor or in memory those affected by heart disease and stroke. Funds raised support the American Heart Association programs and research which currently funds 141 researchers at a level of $33,700,319 in New York State alone.
The research findings made possible by the AHA are translated into guidelines which give healthcare providers the medical advancements and knowledge they need to most effectively treat heart and stroke-related illnesses. The American Heart Association is the largest source of funding for cardiovascular disease and stroke research next to the federal government.
“Any healthcare provider who has ever provided CPR, pacemakers, drug-eluding stents, clot-busting medicines or cholesterol inhibitors to patients benefits directly from the impact of AHA research funding. Chances are you know someone affected by heart disease or stroke—they have been touched by American Heart Association CPR, cholesterol or high blood pressure guidelines, treatment protocols or research whether or not they know it,” said Tim Tarpey, Heart Walk Chair, “Breathing clear air, having newborn heart disease testing, learning CPR in schools, and now a new state law to prevent our youth from accessing tobacco and vaping products—those are all ways the AHA is working behind the scenes to help us become healthier and live longer, stronger lives. I’m walking to thank them for the health of our community and to help them continue their great work. Join me!”
The American Heart Association will honor two local heart disease survivors Gabby, 19, of Poughkeepsie and Liam, 16, of Rosendale, will be recognized as “Faces of Heart” Honorees at the Dutchess-Ulster Heart Walk for sharing their stories to help raise awareness and funds to fight heart disease.
Liam had Rheumatic fever as a 4-year old and needed CPR and treatments to save his life. He’s 16 years old now and healthy. Gabrielle was diagnosed with Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST) —an unexplainable rapid heart rate—when she was 15 years old. Gabby received two cardiac ablations to stop the rapid heart rate. Gabby continues to manage her IST, since there is no cure.
Teams and individuals can get more information at www.dutchessulsterheartwalk.org or by contacting the American Heart Association’s Danielle Schuka at 845-867-5379 or by email at [email protected]. April is Move More Month. Get free resources at www.heart.org/movemore.
The Heart Walk is sponsored by Laerdal Medical, Marshall & Sterling, David Ping Group, The Heart Center | Health Quest, M&T Bank, and ImagineMIC. Media sponsors include Now 97.7, Southern Dutchess News and Hudson Valley Magazine.