American Heart Association’s 5th Annual Heart Walk

 More than 2,000 Santa Clarita Valley residents came together for the American Heart Association’s 5th annual Heart Walk at Bridgeport Park on Nov. 4, 2017.
The event brought attention to heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 2 killers in Los Angeles County and congenital heart defects, the most common type of birth defect, affecting nearly 40,000 births in the U.S. each year. It also raised awareness of the heart and brain health benefits of eating better, moving more and keeping blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol numbers in check.
Santa Clarita was one of four cities that hosted a Heart Walk this year. Together, the events raised more than $1.5 million.
Many families joined the walk for personal reasons. The Villegas family rallied around their hero, 4-year-old stroke survivor, Sophia. Sixteen-month-old June Thomas, who was born with a heart defect and has undergone four open heart surgeries, was with mom and dad and other family members. Another heart disease survivor, Rocky Graham, celebrated his first birthday at the Heart Walk with a big group of family and friends.
The Heart Walk was supported by Healthy for Good sponsor Keck Medicine of USC, Life is Why sponsor Union Bank and presenting sponsors Google, Huntington Hospital, UCLA Health and Antelope Valley Hospital Stroke Program. Look out for information about next year’s Heart Walk at www.heartwalkla.org.