Local walks promote

Matters of the heart are of utmost importance to Kimberly Landry.

“I have lost both of my grandmothers to heart disease,” she said.

Perhaps that’s why Landry, spokesperson for the American Heart Association, is looking forward to the “Start! Heart Walk,” which kicks off Saturday, Oct. 27, at 9:30 a.m., at Southdown Plantation in Houma.

The annual non-competitive, three-mile walk is expected to draw more than 500 Bayou Region area residents who will come together to raise money for heart disease and stroke research and local education programs.

This, according to Landry, is vital.

“My maternal grandmother had signs of a heart attack, but the education was not available to us to know that the signs in women are different than men and by-pass surgery wasn’t available at the time,” she explained. “Years later, thanks to AHA research and education, when my paternal grandmother experienced symptoms, we knew it could be her heart. She went to the doctor right away and they found her blockages.”

Landry’s grandmother underwent angioplasty and received stents, which helped her live an additional four years.

“Thanks to research that developed the stents, she was able to see several of her great-grandchildren’s births,” Landy said.

Walkers at the “Start! Heart Walk” will be able to enjoy musical entertainment, food, children’s activities and, of course, health screenings.

The fund-raising target for this year’s event is $100,000.

“When people participate in the heart walk and other AHA fund-raisers, they are not only raising money for much-needed research,” Landry said. “They are ultimately saving and affecting lives every day.”

For more information, call Landry at (888) 352-3824, ext. 7722 or (985) 232-4875.

• The Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure will celebrate its 10th anniversary in the Bayou Region on Saturday, Oct. 13, at Peltier Park in Thibodaux.

The 5K race and 1-mile fun-run drew more than 1,500 participants and raised more than $100,000 in 2006.

“It was an awesome day,” said Earl Hernandez, sponsorship chair of the event. “It’s a really good tribute to the (breast cancer) survivors and everybody had a really good time.”

Donations assist patients who are fighting breast cancer.

According to Hernandez, 75 percent of funds raised remain in Assumption, Lafourche, St. James, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes.

“That’s unique, especially for a national fund-raiser,” Hernandez said.

This year’s event will include live musical entertainment, a jambalaya cook-off and free drinks.

For more information or to make a donation, call Hernandez at (985) 859-7250.