PHOENIX, December 26, 2023 — As the year comes to an end, the American Heart Association and local community united for the inaugural 2023 West Valley Heart Walk, raising more than $220,000 and drawing nearly 5,000 walkers to the Goodyear Civic Square on Dec. 2, 2023.
Participants visited health-related exhibits, were introduced to speakers who were personally impacted by heart disease and stroke and had the opportunity to take part in a 3-mile walk and a 1-mile survivor miracle mile.
The walkers represented families, individuals and teams formed by local companies who have spent the past year raising money to support the Association’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. The top five fundraising teams were Estrella, Abrazo West, Day and Zimmerman, Abrazo Central and CVL Consultants respectively.
Sara Siqueiros is a mother of three heart transplant recipients. She attended the Walk and shared her children’s story with the audience, inspiring many in the crowd. Her young children—Isabel, age 7, and twins Jaxon and Jason, age 5—suffered from a rare form of heart failure called restrictive cardiomyopathy and required heart transplants to survive. Isabel received her gift of life in May of 2018, and the twins underwent the procedure just three months apart in 2020. They were all two-years-old at the time of their transplants.
“Today they are thriving thanks to our three heart donor families, our wonderful doctors and the American Heart Association, who have done so much to help families like ours,” Siqueiros said. “When we started on this journey, they were the first place we turned to for information and support.”
Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, remain the number one killer of Americans. One-in-three people in the United States currently has one or more cardiovascular condition. The funds from Heart Walk go towards research, advocacy and CPR training to promote better health in support of the Association’s 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal, reducing barriers to health care access and quality.
The 2023 West Valley Heart Walk is locally presented by Abrazo Health. To learn more information about the signature fundraising event or to make a donation and help save lives, visit www.westvalleyheartwalk.org .
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Instagram or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Satara Tinkler; satara.tinkler@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org