The American Heart Association’s annual American Heart Walk was held at the Charles River Esplanade on Saturday, September 14. Beginning at Lederman Field, the walk continued along a six mile route adorned with facts about cardiovascular disease.
The first sign read, “Exposure to second hand smoke = a 50% increase in CVD and stroke risk = 30,000 deaths every year. Join our Grassroots Network and help us beat these numbers – TODAY!” And that is exactly what the 7,000 participants did.
Over 100 companies, as well as families and friends of people affected by heart defects, raised money through donation and sponsorship. The expected goal of $1,200,000 will help fund cardiovascular and stroke research.
“Look around and you see grandfathers, mothers, sisters and children,” said Debra DiSanzo, Chairwoman of the Heart Walk. All walks of life were present, from babies and families to couples and senior citizens. Survivors also consisted of every age, but all wore bright red caps which they simultaneously swung around in celebration. “Thank you for giving him the gift of life,” said the mother of Lucas, a toddler and a survivor of heart disease.
Dennis Delory, also a survivor, gave his story, “I went from feeling perfectly fine to not feeling fine at all in two steps! That is how fast your life can change. Shortly thereafter, I was having a heart attack. Thank God for all of the wonderful people who helped save my life.”
Since 1924, the American Heart Association has funded about two billion dollars worth of CDV and stroke research in the United States. Their efforts, aided by such events like the Heart Walk, have led to the discoveries of CPR, coronary bypass surgery, pacemakers, artificial heart valves and the heart-lung machine.
The spirit of the event was instilled not only by the many participants and survivors, but also by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Honorary American Heart Walk Chair. He spoke about heart disease, stressing its affects on our families and the importance of saving lives through donating funds to research.
The goal of the walk was to focus America’s attention on the issue of cardiovascular disease and to emphasize the importance of exercise to a healthy lifestyle. The AMA provided information about heart defects and stroke as well as physical activity and hopes for further discovery.
Sponsors included Philips Medical Systems, Fidelity Investments, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, EMC, WCVB-TV5, WBOS 92.9FM, Nutrisoy and Subway. Boston University medical students gave blood pressure screenings.