Heart Walk Raises Record $1.5 Million

The American Heart Association’s Heart Walk raised a record $1.5 million for the fight against heart disease and stroke, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers. The annual event was held in four cities this year, including Pasadena where more than 10,000 people joined the 5K walk around the Rose Bowl on Sept. 29, 2015.

Participants included many families and individuals with a personal connection to the cause. Jade Brambila walked with her parents to celebrate 11 years of healthy living after being born with a rare heart defect that was corrected by surgery. Newly-married Amber Waller participated to not only honor the people who saved her life with CPR after a cardiac arrest but also to remember her mother who suffered a cardiac arrest but did not make it. Ronny Turiaf, who was diagnosed with a heart defect a few days after signing a rookie contract with the LA Lakers, joined to celebrate the advances in the fight against cardiovascular disease which gave him the opportunity to enjoy a long and successful career in the NBA.

Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of nearly 787,000 men, women and children every year. The Heart Walk, sponsored nationally by Subway and locally by Union Bank, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, Huntington Hospital and UCLA Health, is an annual tradition that brings the community together to raise awareness and critical funds to fight these diseases.

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) believe that everyone deserves to live a healthier, longer life. Life is Why the AHA/ASA is committed to the mission of building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke, through cardiovascular research funding, patient care improvement initiatives, health advocacy and community education outreach.

For more information about the Heart Walk, visit www.heartwalkla.org.