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Monday, April 28, 2008 10:39 AM Making strides to a better heart By Matt Shaw | Times Staff Writer A warm sunny Saturday morning with dance music playing over the speakers -- it was enough to get your heart pumping. The crowd at Wilson Recreation Park was more interested in keeping your heart going, though. Around 1,000 people turned out for the Wilson Area Heart Walk, an annual fund-raising event for the American Heart Association. The money goes to research and education for cardiovascular disease and stroke. The association hopes to clear $215,000 in donations, up from $190,000 in 2007, by the time the final tally is reached later this week, said corporate relations director Marian Barnhill. "We're doing very well," Barnhill said Saturday, minutes after the one- and three-mile walks stepped off. "We had a lot of new companies fund-raising for us this year, and returning companies have met their goals. "I'm feeling very good about it." The day lifted the spirits as well of Lynda Campbell, widow of Bill Campbell. Campbell died last May due to heart problems brought on by diabetes. More than 50 people, many employees of S.T. Wooten Corporation, where Campbell had worked, walked in his memory Saturday. They raised around $13,000 and the company contributed another $10,000. "It's been a little emotional for me. I didn't sleep well last night," Lynda Campbell said. She was excited to see such a turnout. "I have never see a company that looks after its employees like Wooten does," she said. One of Bill Campbell's former co-workers, Edith Edmondson, is a survivor of heart disease, having lived 15 years with a pacemaker. She was also one of the first to complete the walk. "I feel very fortunate to be here," she said. She is heartened to see her company get so behind the walk this year. "We're raising money for research and education, plus we're getting out information about the ramification that diabetes has on cardiovascular disease," she said. Kelly Carlton, a honorary co-chairman of this year's walk, just marked the second anniversary of his quadruple bypass operation. The Elm City resident recalled Saturday that his problems had started in 2005 with some chest pressure that got worse over several months. At the time, he had no history of heart problems in his family and his own cholesterol levels seemed to be good. But in spring 2006, a cardiologist discovered that he has two arteries that were 90 percent blocked, a third that was 80 percent and a fourth that was 50 percent, he said. The only option was bypass surgery. Today "I feel great, fantastic!" he said. "But I have to watch what I eat -- nothing fried, period. No pizza, barbecue, fried chicken. That's pretty tough for a Southern boy." Carolyn Gowen-Bunn, another survivor wearing a red cap, organized a team of Wilson city employees to take part in the walk. She is grateful to have survived her heart attack nearly 10 years ago and has had to change her life, she said. "That's pushed me and I've pushed myself," she said. "I haven't had a cigarette since May 31, 1999. I asked the Lord to take that off me and He has." The results of Saturday's event may be felt for some time. Lynda Campbell said, "I don't think we'll ever see a cure for heart disease, but I'd like to see the money go to research to help people live healthier and have longer lifespans." mshaw@wilsontimes.com | 265-7878 |
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