Annual Heart walk raises $56,000

It was an emotional moment when Robert Grogg received his award Saturday as the 2015 Lifestyle Change Award winner at Cape Girardeau's annual Heart Walk.

Exactly a year ago, on March 7, 2014, Grogg was taken into a hospital and scheduled for heart surgery. Since then, his life has changed dramatically. He's lost more than 70 pounds, bicycles daily and dutifully attends his weekly cardiac rehab. He was nominated by his daughter, Ashley Grogg, to recognize his lifesaving practices.

His was one of the many success stories at the Heart Walk, a nationwide event that has taken place through The American Heart Association since 1993.

The American Heart Association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization. It was founded in 1924 and is dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke.

More than $56,000 was raised at Saturday's event to fight heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 5 killers, respectively, in the United States. The walk is the American Heart Association's signature fundraising event for the region.

Robert Grogg, with his daughter Ashley, holds his Lifestyle Change Award from the Heart Walk on Saturday. (Submitted)

Because of poor weather, the event was held inside this year. Ben Walker, corporate events director with the American Heart Association, said more than 400 people walked 24 laps around the Osage Centre gym to complete their miles.

"Teams raised money for months to help the American Heart Association build healthier lives free from cardiovascular disease and stroke. The American Heart Association is so thankful to all the area contributors. Today was inspirational," Walker said in a news release.

The Heart Walk is designed to help participants understand the importance of a heart-healthy lifestyle in preventing cardiovascular disease. The event also hosts CPR training, checks participants' blood pressure and provides safe exercise training and a kid zone for children to create balloon animals and have their faces painted.

A fundraising award was given to the top fundraising company, which Saint Francis Medical Center earned by raising $14,637. The New Madrid Youth In Action team was awarded the Most Creative Team Attire award.

The New Madrid Youth In Action team made matching T-shirts for team member Anna Barnwell-Pounds' grandson, Colten. Colten is the son of Matt and Carrie Romines and is a survivor of a congenital heart defect. He underwent three surgeries before his first birthday and now is an active 9-year-old. He named the group Colten's Youth In Action Super Heroes, according to the team's biography on capeheartwalk.org.

It's never too late to start a healthier lifestyle, Walker said, and anyone interested in participating in next year's walk or donating to the cause can contact Walker at 618-942-7336 or visit capeheartwalk.org.

"Our hope is that the Heart Walk helps jump start a culture of physical activity and healthy lifestyles among participants and increase their passion for supporting the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association," Walker said.

smaue@semissourian.com

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