At M.S.S.U. hundreds met to walk and to raise money for something close to their hearts, heart disease and illnesses. But of course before walking, they must stretch second annual American Heart Associations Heart Walk. Individuals or teams could participate, raising money for the local A.H.A. Patty Pippen walked today with about 35 of her coworkers from Springfield's Pediatric Medical Group, to support her daughter.
"My daughter is almost 27 and she's had down syndrome and she's had four open hearts, a pace maker, a micro valve, we have pulmonary hyper tension we are on oxygen 24/7 now and we just got over pneumonia so that's why she's not with me today but yes it is very personal, very personal, so we want to raise money and make aware that it can strike anybody at anytime" says Pippin.
The walk raised more than $25,000. Since 2000, there has been a 31% decrease in cardiac vascular disease deaths and stroke deaths.