Lynchburg Heart Walk: Making a difference one step at a time
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) — The community in Lynchburg gathered at Percival’s Island Natural Area today for the American Heart Association Heart Walk centennial. For the past 100 years, the American Heart Association has brought together families and communities around the nation to support heart disease survivors.
Together they walked to help researchers and survivors further understand and combat heart disease one donation and one step at a time. Organizers of the Heart Walk said they’ve hosted the walk-in in the Hill City for 32 years. With more than 600 walkers, before the event even began, the Lynchburg Heart Walk raised more than it had ever raised before with $115,000.
“For critical research, we’re raising money to put CPR kits in schools and for nutrition counseling as well. So, a lot of preventative education,” said Elizabeth Vail, the senior development director with the Lynchburg Heart Walk.
The event brought together survivors both young and those older. While they may be different ages, they had the same goals.
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“I had my former bypass surgery done back in 1999, so this is my 25th anniversary,” said 84-year-old Chris Krishnamurti, a Lynchburg resident. “The doctors, the nurses – they all did a great job taking care of me during my need. So, I want people to know that heart disease can be managed, if you control your eating habits, get some exercise, and do some volunteer work to help others”
For many in the crowd, heart health was deeply personal and their loved ones, friends, and coworkers came out to join the cause.
“We’re the ‘Wad Walkers’. A lot of that was based on — I’ve got family history in my family of heart disease. My brother, my sister, things like that and so I really had a heart for it. And my team joined me, they said it was inspirational,” said Brye Viars. As a senior director of radiology services with Centra Health, Viars created a team with her fellow colleagues.
“Well, we felt like we really wanted to support Jackie Winston, whose husband passed away in 2022 of heart disease. And we just felt in our hearts that we wanted to support each other and it’s a good thing, it’s a good cause,” said Jessica Hales. As a patient service team lead with CVFP Piedmont, Hales was part of a team created for her fellow colleague.
Organizers say rallying for the cause doesn’t just stop. They say you can visit here to learn more about heart disease and how you can support it.
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