Teen Heart Survivor Helps School Take Action for Heart Health
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: January 28, 2013
February is National Heart Month, but two local high schools are taking action for the cause now.
For the past few weeks students at Normal Community and Normal Community West have been raising money for the American Heart Association.
Each is selling "Red Out" T-shirts in hopes of raising $4,000 to fight the disease.
It's the number one killer of Americans-- leading to heart attack and stroke.
But teenage heart survivor Taylor Wallarab says each donation means more people like her will stay protected.
"I had a heart defect and I survived that and I think it's really eye opening that people would donate to me and other kids that have had the same issues I had," said Wallarab.
This is the second year both schools have pumped up the cause.
Their efforts will be celebrated Tuesday night when their varsity basketball teams go head to head.
Everyone is encouraged to wear their "Red Out" T-shirts to the game.
For the past few weeks students at Normal Community and Normal Community West have been raising money for the American Heart Association.
Each is selling "Red Out" T-shirts in hopes of raising $4,000 to fight the disease.
It's the number one killer of Americans-- leading to heart attack and stroke.
But teenage heart survivor Taylor Wallarab says each donation means more people like her will stay protected.
"I had a heart defect and I survived that and I think it's really eye opening that people would donate to me and other kids that have had the same issues I had," said Wallarab.
This is the second year both schools have pumped up the cause.
Their efforts will be celebrated Tuesday night when their varsity basketball teams go head to head.
Everyone is encouraged to wear their "Red Out" T-shirts to the game.
Comments
At 51 years old I was watching my numbers because of family heart history. I was getting a physcial yearly. In June of 2011 I was diagnosed with a loud heart murmer that was not in the family history. I then under went open heart surgery to repair my leaky mitral valve. Since I was very healthy I have recovered nicely. It is important to stay healthy and get check-ups.
John J.
January 28, 2013 at 8:20 pm
At 51 years old I was watching my numbers because of family heart history. I was getting a physcial yearly. In June of 2011 I was diagnosed with a loud heart murmer that was not in the family history. I then under went open heart surgery to repair my leaky mitral valve. Since I was very healthy I have recovered nicely. It is important to stay healthy and get check-ups.
John J.
January 28, 2013 at 8:20 pm
