News release from the American Heart Association:
Northeast Indiana Heart Walk will be held next Saturday
American Heart Association hopes to raise $200,000 for research and educational efforts
(September 9, 2011) – Getting dumped by her doctor was actually good news for was Alexandrea Hanba. Born with a congenital heart disease, Alexandra had her first heart surgery at 10 days old, and subsequent heart surgeries at ages four, five, and nine-years-old.
As a child, Alexandrea wasn’t allowed to play sports and most gym activities. She learned what she could and couldn’t do and how to pace herself. Growing up, she was initially conscious of her “zipper” – the vertical scar on her chest from all the surgeries, but grew to appreciate its significance.
Each year, Alexandrea and her family made a visit to the pediatric cardiologist for a check-up. Years went by until one visit the cardiologist announced that she was his oldest patient and it was time she found an adult cardiologist. Surprised, though she had to admit that the tables and chairs in his office were getting a little small for her! The move also was a reminder to her that she was a survivor.
Today, Alexandrea is happily married, visits her “adult” cardiologists annually for check-ups, and does her best to lead a heart healthy and active lifestyle. Alexandrea and her family will be at the Northeast Indiana Heart Walk next Saturday, grateful for the American Heart Association’s role in medical advances that have saved her life.
Heart Walk
The American Heart Association’s Northeast Indiana Heart Walk will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 17th at Parkview Field. The Heart Walk will feature children’s activities, educational booths and entertainment. The walk provides walkers with the opportunity initiate changes in their health through walking, while raising funds to help prevent heart disease and stroke- America’s No. 1 and 3 killers.
The annual non-competitive event offers one and three-mile walk courses in which individuals and teams created by employees participate to raise money for the American Heart Association. Other activities at the Heart Walk include a kids zone, educational booths, live music, and free health screenings.
Mike Packnett, CEO of Parkview Health, is the chair of this year’s Heart Walk. The American Heart Association hopes to raise $200,000 at this year’s Heart Walk. The event is sponsored nationally by Subway Restaurants and locally by PHP and Parkview Health.
For more information, visit fortwayneheartwalk.kintera.org or call 260-494-6530.
Schedule of Events
8:30 a.m. – Gates Open – Educational Booths, Free Screenings, Kids Area, Activities
9:30 a.m. – Program Kicks Off
Team and Top Walker Recognitions
Lifestyle Change Awards9:50 a.m. – Walk Kicks Off
Statistics
Despite progress, heart disease and stroke continue to be major health threats. Heart disease and stroke continue to be the No. 1 and No. 3 health threats for Hoosiers. Each day, nearly 2,400 Americans die from a cardiovascular disease. That’s an average of one death every 37 seconds. A leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke is lack of physical activity. Research has also found that individuals may gain two hours of life expectancy for every one hour of regular, vigorous exercise they do. American Heart Association-funded research has yielded or contributed to such important discoveries as CPR, life-extending drugs (including clot-busters), pacemakers, bypass surgery, the heart-lung machine and surgical techniques to repair heart defects.
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