Blue skies and mild temperatures greeted the 1,000 walkers who gathered on either side of the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, Saturday, April 27, for the Hudson Valley Heart Walk.

Walkers crossed to the other side of the bridge and returned again for the Walk. Music, health screenings and activities welcomed the Walkers. Heart disease survivors wore red caps; stroke survivors wore white caps; and children with congenital heart disease wore capes. A moment of silence honored those lost to heart disease and stroke, and survivors waved their caps as the crowd honored them.

Participants sang “Happy Birthday” to celebrate the Centennial of the American Heart Association before the walk began.

Survivors Mary Jo Cipollini of Highland and Karina Gonzabay of Ellenville shared their stories before the Walk stepped off.

Cipollini survived two sudden cardiac arrests and her Heart Walk team called itself “Shock Me.”

Gonzabay was born with a congenital heart defect that went undiagnosed and caused issues until open heart surgery repaired it.

“For 100 years, the American Heart Association has improved and saved lives, with their scientific research, their guidelines in hospitals, CPR and implementation of policies that improve health for all of us,” said Steven Kelley, president and CEO of Ellenville Regional Hospital and chair of the 2024 Hudson Valley Heart Walk. “I served on the local board of the Heart Association, have experienced heart disease firsthand and know its impacts from my years of hospital leadership. All of us who walked and fundraised today took measurable steps to help ourselves and our community live longer, healthier lives.”

“The Hudson Valley Heart Walk brings the community together to fight heart disease and stroke,” said Alex DiCicco of Johnson & Wales University and chair of the board of directors of the American Heart Association in the Hudson Valley. “We also fund the many programs and initiatives of the Association. As we celebrate our Centennial, I am especially proud that the Association has such a strong commitment to diversity and ending health disparities.”

 The Hudson Valley Heart Walk has raised nearly $200,000 to date. Donations will be accepted until June 30 at heart.org/hudsonvalleyheartwalk.