COVID 19 has Dutchess Ulster Heart Walk Going Virtual

In the current state of pause and social distancing that we are all experiencing it may seem odd that I am talking to you about walking a 5K but that is exactly what I have in mind. Last week I had a chance to speak with Danielle Schuka Development Director for the Heart Association about the annual Dutchess Ulster Heart Walk that was scheduled to take place later this month but had to be redesigned due to the COVID 19 outbreak.

This year instead of gathering at Dutchess Community College you are being asked to gather around your social media. This years walk will be virtual. This Saturday (April 18th) everyone is being challenged to join the 5k Walk or Run from wherever you are on "pause". They don't care what your activity is on Saturday they just want you to agree to move. Walk you dog, walk on your treadmill, dance like nobody's watching but do it to support heart health.

This event is still a fundraiser for the American Heart Association and everyone is encourage to register at DutchessUlsterHeartWalk.org to get updates and to donate. The event will be held from 9am to 12pm on Saturday and Danielle and her group is hoping you will share how you are moving with #HVHEARTWALK.

Danielle Allen, 34 from Connelly is a survivor honoree at this year's virtual walk. Danielle had congenital heart defects that went undiagnosed for 19 years. Her story is one of survival and she shared these thoughts in a press release sent out on April 13th from the American Heart Association. Danielle said, “Donating to the American Heart Association can help save the lives of people like me,” Allen said. “I have an internal Cardio defibrillator that was not developed that long ago by the funding that allowed research to make this device. It has already saved my life once since having a sudden cardiac arrest because it restarts your heart when those dangerous abnormal heart arrhythmia occur.”

For more information on this event and how to participate, head to DutchessUlsterHeartWalk.org or reach out to Danielle.Schuka@heart.org.

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