There is still time to register for the TriCounty Heart Walk on Sunday, May 5th at Harriman State Park. Register online at www.tricountyheartwalk.org. You might see a few red-caped
“SUPER-heroes” there, like kindergartner Sydney Lundgren, Heart Hero and Junior Honoree for the TriCounty Heart Walk. The enemy she’s battled since before her birth was a complex congenital heart defect. She and her family will be walking for their own heart health, and to help fund lifesaving research for the American Heart Association.
Register for the TriCounty Heart Walk online at www.tricountyheartwalk.org.
Prenatal testing indicated that Sydney had a complex congenital heart defect, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome where the heart’s left side — including the aorta, aortic valve, left ventricle and mitral valve — was underdeveloped and would result in poor blood flow and difficulty breathing, and feeding after birth. This heart defect is usually fatal within the first days or month of life unless it’s detected early and treated soon after birth. Congenital heart defects are the number one birth defect affecting nearly 1 in 100 births.
After multiple surgeries and ongoing treatment, Sydney is now a happy 5-year old who is her family’s Heart Hero–a survivor of congenital heart defects. She will be surrounded by dozens of past Heart Walk Survivor Honorees to help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Heart Walk event nationally.
The American Heart Association is committed to helping adults and children live stronger lives through education, research and public policies. In 2013, the AHA lead advocacy efforts to pass the Pulse Oximetry Law in New York State which ensures that every newborn have a blood oxygen test before being discharged. A low oxygen level can be an indication of a congenital heart defect (CHD). This year, the AHA is helping to protect children by passing a statewide Tobacco 21 law which is awaiting Gov. Cuomo’s signature. The law would push the purchase age of tobacco products—including e-cigarette and vaping—from 18 years old to 21, making it harder for teens to get the addictive tobacco products.
Heart Walk chair MaryKate Revella, Director of Cardiology for GHVHS invites the community to support the TriCounty Heart Walk to celebrate Sydney’s life and the lives of all those affected by heart disease and stroke. Registration is open at www.TriCountyHeartWalk.org. The non-competitive 3-mile walk raises awareness and funds for AHA programs and research. For more information or to attend the February 5th Heart Walk kickoff party, contact JoAnn Parker at [email protected].
The Heart Walk is sponsored locally by Healthy For Good Sponsor Orange Regional Medical Center; National Walking Day and Kickoff Sponsor NicePak/PDI; Stroke Warning Signs Sponsor, St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital; local sponsors, Walden Savings Bank, Crystal Run Healthcare, Orange Bank and Trust, Crothall Healthcare, Cardiovascular Institute; and media sponsors Nicki Jones Agency, Lamar Advertising, Hudson Valley Magazine and Now 97.7.