The Blair County Division of the American Heart Association is proud to announce that Lakemont Park and The Blair County Ballpark will host the 11th annual American Heart Walk.
The three-mile walk is scheduled for Saturday beginning with registration at noon. Warm-up exercises, courtesy of Health Quest of Altoona, will be provided to walkers prior to the 1 p.m. start time.
Bon Secours-Holy Family Hospital is the major sponsor of this year’s event. Media sponsors are WTAJ-TV 10 and WPRR Radio. Pennsylvania State Representative Rick Geist serves as honorary chairman. Contributing sponsors are The Altoona Chapter of Credit Unions, Cardiology Associates of Blair County and M & T Bank.
“The 2002 Blair County American Heart Walk has two very courageous individuals as its ambassadors this year,” said Anthea L. German, division communications Chairwoman. “Ten-year-old Landon Fickes is our 2002 Heart Walk Post Child for Blair County and Margie Navarro is our spokeswoman. Landon and Margie effectively drive home the point that cardiovascular disease is an equal opportunity menace to both children and adults,” Germano explained.
Landon Fickes was born in January of 1992. The morning of his delivery hospital personnel told his mother Marsena that a fetal heartbeat could not be heard. Landon was delivered by emergency C-section and, accompanied by his father Ray, was transported to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. At Children’s Hospital, Landon was diagnosed with corrected transposition of the great arteries, a congenital heart condition in which the positions of the pulmonary artery and aorta are reversed.
Also detected were a third-degree heart block, tricuspid valve regurgitation, and several holes in his heart, which, except for one, later closed on their own. A heart murmur, which is still present today, was also discovered upon examination. Children’s Hospital cardiologist Lee Beerman determined that surgical intervention for the transposition could be delayed until Landon was older and stronger.
At one year of age, Landon’s heart was enlarged and at 15 months of age a pacemaker was inserted. Following this procedure, Landon developed post pericardiotomy syndrome, an inflammation of the heart’s outer lining. He recovered after several days in Children’s Hospital. Landon again experienced the inflammation and a hospitalization at four years of age when the battery of his pacemaker was replaced. During Landon’s ordeal, his older brothers and sister, Joshua, Anthony and Courtney were a constant source of support and encouragement.
Now a fifth grader at Charles W. Longer elementary school, Landon is a healthy, active child. Although he cannot participate in contact sports, he is involved in music and art, taking drum lessons, playing string base, singing in his church choir and drawing pictures of animals.
The monies raised from AHA fundraisers have enabled many advances in medical technology. One such advance is the automatic external defibrillator. This compact electrical device re-establishes normal contraction rhythm by delivering an electrical shock to the heart. A recorded voice gives step-by-step instructions. Margie Navarro is a living testament to this life-saving machine.
Four years ago, while on a chair lift at a ski resort in Michigan, Margie’s husband Joseph Dymond suddenly discovered that she was slumped in her seat and unresponsive. With no safety bar or foot rest to support him, he tried unsuccessfully to prevent her from slipping out of the chair. Margie fell approximately 20 feet to the ground. Within minutes, a nurse, a dentist and a state trooper, all versed in CPR, were at her side. They performed continuous CPR even after two emergency units arrived. One of the units had recently been equipped with an AED. After several attempts with the AED, her heart rhythm returned. She was transported by snow mobile to an awaiting ambulance.
The doctors felt that Margie’s heart had gone into ventricular fibrillation, a rapid and erratic movement. Her only family history of heart disease was a brother who had collapsed and died while playing basketball. She was hospitalized for a month, recovering from a broken tailbone and various fractures. She underwent several procedures including back surgery and the implanting of an internal defibrillator.
In recalling the event, Margie credits the three first responders for never giving up on her CPR and the AED that restored her heartbeat. A staunch advocate of the automatic external defibrillator, it is her hope that they will one day be commonplace in all public buildings and facilities.
According to Cathy Wilt, American Heart Walk Committee Chairwoman, the goal for 2002 is to raise $34,000 for heart disease and stroke research and education. Walkers collect flat donations and can walk in teams or as individuals.
Several new features have been added to this year’s event. Along with the TV 10 morning news crew, Josh Hodell, Patrick Schurr and Amy Mearkle, the Walk will be lead by the Heart of Gold Twirlers under the direction of Marsena Fickes ad the majorettes from the Hollidaysburg junior and senior high schools.
The Curve batting cages will be open from 1-3 p.m. Tickets for the batting cages are available in advance to walkers at a cost of $5 for 10 swings. Only 100 tickets will be sold. Walkers can also have Polaroid pictures taken of them in the Curve locker room at a cost of $2. Proceeds from the batting cages and the pictures will go to the American Heart Walk.
WPRR Radio will provide music and a live broadcast. Park rides will open to walkers free of charge following the Walk and the post-Walk celebration will feature food and beverage donated by area businesses. First and second place trophies donated by Shields Trophies will be presented to the company having the most walkers and the individual raising the most money. First and second place prizes for individuals raising the most money will be a treadmill donated by Natural Gains and a gift certificate donated by Wolf Furniture.
Individuals and businesses interested in participating in the Walk and those wishing more information on heart disease and stroke can call the AHA office at 949-3160.
