Heart walk benefits research, education

From left, campus corporate sponsors, Becky Paar, The Nebraska Medical Center, Cindy Sutton, UNMC, and Robin Stoupa, UMA.

Through its annual heart walk, the American Heart Association (AHA) continues its fight to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Earlier this month, approximately 2,000 people participated in the ninth annual AHA Heart Walk, including teams from UNMC, The Nebraska Medical Center and University Medical Associates (UMA).

Together, the three groups raised more than $21,000 – surpassing their goal of $15,000. They also raised the third highest amount among participating “companies.”

The Omaha-Metro American Heart Walk is the largest Nebraska fund-raising event for the AHA. Overall, the AHA raised more than $310,400 this year for research and education, compared to $249,000 last year. UNMC, Creighton University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Nebraska at Omaha are recipients of the research funds.

Tim and Becky Green with their son Clayton, a red cap survivor.

“UNMC has a research team, led by Dr. Irving Zucker, which is nationally known for its work in trying to understand what causes heart attacks and strokes,” said Sandy Goetzinger-Comer, director of UNMC public affairs. “By recognizing the survivors of these diseases, we are recognizing the advancements that are being made in this field, many by our own scientists and their collaboration with our clinicians.”

For the fourth year, UNMC and UMA sponsored the Red Cap survivor welcome tent, designated for survivor check-in and a pre-walk breakfast at the park. This year, more than 65 people of all ages registered as survivors of heart disease, stroke and related surgeries.

Tom Porter, M.D., addresses the crowd at this year’s heart walk.

“Each year, the number of heart and stroke disease survivors who sign up to walk has increased,” said Robin Stoupa, wellness chairwoman and ambulatory care director for UMA. “It is our way of recognizing their courage and the role our physicians are playing to keep Nebraskans healthy and to be sure the state has access to the leading edge treatments.”

This year, Tom Porter, M.D., associate professor of cardiology, represented UNMC and UMA in honoring the survivors during the walk’s opening ceremonies. Jay Noddle, president of Pacific Realty Group, Noddle Development Co. and Origin Development Partners, served as chairman for the walk.

Michael and Heather Eversden with their daughter, Madelaine, a red cap survivor.

Heart disease and stroke are the number one and number three killers, respectively, of Nebraskans. The American Heart Walk educates the Omaha metro area of the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and what individuals can do to prevent it. Funds raised support local medical research and educational programs of the American Heart Association.

Over the last three years, the American Heart Association has provided about $2.3 million to help fund medical research projects involving cardiovascular disease and stroke at UNMC, Creighton University Medical Center, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.