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Those local heart disease survivors, including Wilton resident Karen Christensen and Norwalk residents Gavin Halsey and Abigail Stumpf, were honored Oct. 19 at the 19th annual Heart Walk at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.
Christensen is an ice skating instructor in Stamford and skated in the Ice Capades national touring team. Her post-surgical rehab was what got her into ice skating.
Halsey and Stumpf are childhood friends who grew up and volunteered together for heart disease advocacy.
Each was presented with the association’s Survivor Red Caps for their efforts to raise awareness for heart disease.
The heart walk promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living while raising money to support heart disease and stroke research, as well as educational and advocacy programs in the Fairfield County area.
“A diagnosis of heart disease, particularly for children, is so devastating. But what these three honorees demonstrated is that because of science and research, long, healthy, active lives are possible. And it’s important to note that they all still exercise to continue to keep their hearts healthy. That’s why we’re all here today,” said Kevin Byrne, American Heart Association heart walk director in a statement.
Read more about Karen Christensen's story here in The Daily Voice.
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