Heart disease and strokes brought people together from across East Central Indiana on Saturday in Worthen Arena.
The East Central Indiana Heart Walk raised awareness and revenue for the American Heart Association.
"Educating people is the main thing," said Vanessa Lauritsen, director of the East Central Indiana AHA Heart Walk.
Whether it is the walker personally or someone he or she knows, most of the people who participated in this event are doing it because of experience dealing with heart disease or stroke.
Ben Smith, Estep * Doctor & Company team member, has a history of heart problems in his family. In 2011, his brother Jack died at 54 from a heart attack. Soon after, his mother developed heart problems.
Smith became involved in the AHA Heart Walk after a friend and colleague called him and asked him to get involved. She told him it would be a great way to help out and share his story, he said.
"[It] made a lot of sense to get involved," Smith said.
The Heart Walk is not just a way to become involved and create revenue and awareness about heart disease and stroke. Because so many who are involved have people in their lives who have had heart problems or they themselves have, it is supportive to be around people who understand.
"It's great to have the people come out and share their stories," Smith said.
The number of participants this year was about the same as the number of participants last year. Approximately 250 walkers attended.
Two courses were offered for the walkers: a one-mile track and a three-mile track.
According to the Heart Walk website, the event goal was to raise $50,000. The teams succeeded in raising more than $36,000.
Verallia, a glass bottle-making company, raised about $5,000 in donations, contributing the most money.
"I thought it was a successful event," Lauritsen said.
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