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American Heart Association
updated: Aug 14, 2010, 8:45 AM
The American Heart Association is making an extraordinary impact on the lives of people in our community by empowering people to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. In Santa Barbara, this mission is especially important since heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 2 killers in Santa Barbara County.
For many people this fact may come as a surprise. But did you also know that someone dies of cardiovascular disease every 38 seconds? What about the fact that heart disease also kills more women than all forms of cancer combined? And congenital cardiovascular defects are the most common cause of infant death from birth defects.
It is because of statistics like these that the American Heart Association set a goal to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20% by 2020.
For the past 18 years, one of the principal ways our Santa Barbara Division of the American Heart Association has raised both funds and awareness is through the Start! Santa Barbara Heart Walk. The Start! Heart Walk encourages everyone to get active by participating in the 5k walk along the beach, while teaching participants about the risks of heart disease and stroke and what they can do to live a healthier lifestyle.
Start! Heart Walk participants come from every part of our community. Many of them are driven by a particular story or experience.
Below are a few from the Start! Santa Barbara Heart Walk Executive Committee:
Rayme Elliot never thought that heart disease would be such an important cause to her. A healthy mom, Rayme was overjoyed to give birth to her first son on August 5, 2008. Yet, the joy he brought to his family and strangers alike was tragically cut short in October of 2009. Unbeknownst to anyone, Logan Thomas-Neels Elliott was born with a major heart complication. It was miraculous that he even survived the first two months of his life because he was born with a heart that should not have sustained him. He was diagnosed with Taussig-Bing, an extremely rare and complex congenital heart defect. By looking at him, or being around him, you would never have known what he had been through. His smile was so warm and infectious. His eyes were so bright, and he had such a gentle and calm spirit. During his short little life, he won the hearts of everyone and brought such joy to all those who knew him. It is to keep his beautiful spirit alive that Rayme is the team captain of the "Moms with Heart" Start! Heart Walk team. In his honor she hopes that no other mom has to go through such a devastating tragedy.
For Andy Clark, President of The Bank of Santa Barbara, celebrating a two-year anniversary this summer wasn't part of the plan. That's because before 2008 he would have never known that this past June would be two years since his quadruple bypass surgery. Growing up in Santa Barbara, Andy ate seafood and fresh fruits and vegetables. His father had had bypass surgery but he grew up in the Midwest on a diet of fried chicken and meat and potatoes, so Andy thought he'd never have the same problem that his father had. After experiencing some tightness in his chest when exercising or walking a few blocks he went to his family doctor and found out that he was wrong. Although everyone always thinks "it can't happen to them," Andy found out that family history is an important factor in heart disease. He also learned the impact of not continually taking care of himself. He was not exercising as regularly as he used to and didn't eat properly. After his surgery Andy attended the "Heart Smart" classes offered by Cottage Hospital and learned a lot about heart disease, proper diet and exercise. He lost 30 pounds and feels stronger and healthier than he has in years. Knowing what a traumatic experience bypass surgery is, he is determined to never have to go through it again. Now Andy is actively involved with the Santa Barbara Division of the American Heart Association and will lead a Start! Heart Walk team to help raise funds and increase awareness of heart disease.
These are only two of the many stories of people by heart related problems. It is in order to prevent more of these stories that since 1949 the American Heart Association has spent more than $3.2 billion on research to increase knowledge about cardiovascular disease and stroke; in fact, they fund more research than any other voluntary health organization in the country.
Come join us for this year's Start! Santa Barbara Heart Walk and build stronger health and a better quality of life. Call or email Lisa Thomas at 805.963.8862 or lisa.m.thomas@heart.org to get involved with this year's Heart Walk.
Who knew taking a walk could touch so many lives?
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