Kalamazoo Heart Walk: Community rallies for cardiovascular health at annual fundraiser

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Kalamazoo Heart Walk is taking its annual fundraising event to Celery Flats in Portage on Oct. 28, starting at 9 a.m.

The event, hosted by the American Heart Association, is designed to promote physical fitness and raise funds toward cardiovascular research that saves lives, event organizers said.

Walking this year includes local congenital defect survivor Maverick Shank and his family.

Maverick, 15 months-old, survived three congenital heart defects and while he’s just learned to walk, the community is ready to walk beside him, his brother, and mom and dad as they support the American Heart Association.

“Without the research funded by the American Heart Association, Maverick may not be with us today. Advancements in technology since the inception of the Heart Walk have made detecting and treating conditions like Maverick’s easier and we could not be more grateful for the work the organization does to save countless lives,” said Maverick’s mom, Consuelo Shank.

The Heart Walk route will begin at Celery Flats and follow a paved trail to Portage Creek Bicentennial Park where walkers will have access to water stations and can turn around, organizers said.

The event is also expected to feature a kid zone, pet zone, “stomp our stress” zone and yoga.

The American Heart Association will also be on site to provide CPR training with vendors that will offer coffee and smoothies for purchase.

Visit KalamazooHeartWalk.org to donate and/or register for the walk.

News Channel 3 is a proud sponsor of the Kalamazoo Heart Walk.