For many of the individuals and families participating in Saturday’s eighth annual Omaha-Metro American Heart Walk, the walk had personal meaning.
In the sunshine and mild weather, participants at Chalco Hills, near 154th Street and Giles Road, welcomed the chance to help raise money to support lifesaving research, programs and education, as well as celebrate survivorship or walk in memory of those they lost to heart disease or stroke.
This year, UNMC Chancellor, Harold M. Maurer, M.D., was chairperson for the walk. UNMC and University Medical Associates sponsored this year’s Red Cap Initiative. Survivors of heart disease and stroke received special red caps to wear at the event.
Before the event began, John Windle, M.D., UNMC/NHS cardiologist, welcomed participants and talked about the large impact heart disease and stroke have in Nebraska and in the United States. Dr. Maurer thanked everyone for their dedication in the fight against heart disease and stroke as he kicked off the walk with, “Let the walk begin.”
With 1,703 people registering for the walk, $305,382 has been raised so far. UNMC received an award for the top fundraising company, raising $32,788 to date.
“I want to personally thank those at UNMC and NHS for their support in making this walk a success,” Dr. Maurer said. “It is important we continue to recognize the immense impact heart disease and stroke have on us as individuals and as a society. We must continue to make strides in research for better ways to prevent and treat these diseases.”
Making a difference
Chandra Alfrey is part of a family that has benefited from past research efforts. Four members in her family, including husband, Doug, when he was 35 years old, had heart attacks and survived. “We feel so blessed to be survivors,” Alfrey said. “We are very supportive of the Heart Association.”
Her father-in-law, Hank Alfrey, who had his first heart attack 17 years ago and another a few years ago, said the family has been able to provide emotional support to each other. “They’ve seen how I’ve survived. I am thankful for the money that goes toward research.”
The walk also was personal for Paul Kawacz of UNMC Biomedical Communications. His father died a couple of months ago at the age of 77 after battling heart disease since age 43.
“Hopefully maybe something like this can help the next generation — my kids, and hopefully me,” Kawacz said. “We had my dad for a number of extra years. In a way, he’s kind of a success story.”
Living each day to the fullest
For Omahans, Ed and Louise Aldrich, this was their first Heart Walk. Last year on June 10, Ed Aldrich had a heart attack while at home on his couch. It was about two weeks after he had retired and one day before the couple’s 41st wedding anniversary.
When Louise Aldrich found out her husband was having pain in both arms, was sick to his stomach and had broken out in a cold sweat, she put two aspirin in his mouth and called 911. “The paramedics used the paddles on him at home,” she said.
The next thing Ed Aldrich knew he was in the hospital.
“It was the best anniversary we ever had,” she said.
“I’m still here,” said her husband, who was diagnosed with sudden cardiac death.
“They say most people who have heart attacks like him don’t survive,” she said.
Ed Aldrich said the experience changed him for the better. With no apparent medical cause for the heart attack — he hadn’t smoked for 35 years, his cholesterol and blood pressure were normal, and there was no genetic link — he never expected a heart attack.
“I figured it was more stress and anger and the fact I was drinking two to three pots a day of caffeinated coffee. I used to have a pretty bad temper,” he said. “I wasn’t ready to go yet. It must have been a wakeup call to settle down and change my ways or suffer the consequences.”
His experience has taught him to live life each day to the fullest and he is doing things he’s never done like golf and walk in the Heart Walk.
“Until I had my heart attack, I didn’t even know they had a Heart Walk,” he said. “I’d make a donation every year but that would be the end of it.”
He and his wife, a three-year breast cancer survivor, also participate in cancer fundraisers.
At the end of this month, the Aldrich’s and their family will drive to Kansas City where Ed Aldrich will drive a NASCAR, a gift his from his son.
Other sponsors of the walk include: the walk’s presenting sponsor, HDR; media sponsor, WAITT Radio, which operates KOZN, KKAR, KCTY, KZFX, KOIL and KQKQ; the Mayor’s Mile, sponsored by Children’s Hospital; and NutriSoy and Subway, this year’s national sponsors for the American Heart Walk.
Photos by Vicky Cerino. In descending order: 1) Children hug the Heart Walk’s mascot; 2) UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., chairperson for the Heart Walk, thanked everyone for their dedication in the fight against heart disease and stroke; 3) A family of survivors, from left, Seth Alfrey, Chandra Alfrey, Dee Alfrey (survivor), Doug Alfrey (survivor), Hank Alfrey (survivor) and Jim Potts (survivor); 4) Stroke survivor, Donnis Arens, left, and heart disease survivor, Terry Springer, light a cauldron to officially open the 2002 walk;
5) Louise and Ed Aldrich walk in the Heart Walk; and 6) Heart Walkers were greeted at Chalco Hill’s Wehrspan Lake with sunshine and mild temperatures.