Hundreds walk for heart health
At least 350 local and area residents braved Saturday’s mid-morning humidity to walk a circular mile—to ensure they and others have a healthy heart.
Some of the group, which gathered at Spring Lake Park, not only walked in the annual American Heart Association’s Heart Walk fundraiser but also formed 20 teams of 10 people each to participate in a kickball tournament.
While some donated $25 to participate in the free event, others collected sponsorship to raise money for the cause.
“Today, we hope to raise at least $20,000,” said Samantha Evans, AHA marketing director.
Last year more than 400 people participated in the walk, which raised more than $44,000.
The money financed local heart disease education and awareness efforts, CPR training and local advocacy. While some heart disease research money goes to Little Rock and Tyler, Texas, 71 percent of the proceeds stay local.
“During the past two years, we’ve had rain that stopped just before the walk started, so we’re still thankful that we haven’t gotten rained out yet,” Evans said.
After crossing the finish line, Barbara Edmondson of Texarkana, Ark., and Betty May of Wake Village, Texas, both of whom belong to Texarkana Cardiology Association, said they have participated in the walk for at least the last five years, mostly on behalf of their husbands.
Both husbands have had heart attacks.
“My husband has now had five bypass surgeries, and he’s still alive,” Edmondson said. “Our husbands are the reason we keep doing this year after year.”
May agreed.
“If it wasn’t for the heart doctors we have here in house, many people wouldn’t still be alive to participate in the walk,” she said. “We plan to keep walking, and we will continue to donate to the cause.”
Saturday marked Texarkana, Texas, City Manager Shirley Jaster’s first time to participate.
“We just recently formed our own city team of walkers,” she said. “I don’t have any family affected by heart trouble, but there are friends I know who have.
“We’re also walking for our own wellness, as well as to support others.”