Heart & Stroke Glow Walk Returns to Lake Skinner

The American Heart Association’s (AHA) Inland Empire Division will host its annual Southwest Riverside Heart & Stroke Glow Walk on Saturday, May 9, at Lake Skinner in Winchester, where an estimated 3,000 people will lace up their sneakers and make lifesaving strides. The Heart & Stroke Walk is an annual tradition that brings the community together to raise awareness and funds to fight heart disease and stroke, the leading killers in the United States, including the Inland Empire. Among the participants will be many families who lost loved ones to the nation’s leading causes of death, and heart disease and stroke survivors. Denyse Wilson could have been one of them, but she paid attention to her symptoms and went to the doctor on time. A Temecula resident, Wilson was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease at age 48, after discovering she had a hole in her heart since birth. If she had not listened to warning signs like palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue, doctors told her she would have suffered a stroke, heart attack or died. After going through open heart surgery, Wilson found out the lifesaving medical devices used during the operation were funded by research from the American Heart Association, the reason why she has become an avid volunteer helping organize this year’s event. “You never know, the AHA research that we fund through events like the Southwest Riverside Heart & Stroke Walk could save someone you love!” she said. “This event would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our Executive Leadership Team and AHA staff,” said Darlene Wetton, Chair of the 2015 Southwest Riverside County Heart & Stroke Glow Walk and CEO of Temecula Valley Hospital. “Our goal is to raise $150,000 for the fight against heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases which claim the lives of more than 831,000 people every year.” The Southwest Riverside Heart & Stroke Glow Walk promises to be a wonderful and exciting occasion for the whole family. The day’s main events are the non-competitive 5-kilometer walk, 1-mile Survivor Path and half-mile Kids Fun Run. Other highlights include a Health and Wellness Expo, a Survivor Lounge, Kids Zone featuring games and educational information promoting heart health, VIP Tent for sponsors and top fundraisers. Everyone is invited to be a part of this important community event sponsored nationally by Subway, and locally by Abbott Vascular.