News
October 25, 2017Community Teams of the 2017 Capital Region Heart Walk and Run were Tops in their Market Size Nationwide
The Heart Hero and his family, Stroke Ambassador, and Chair of the 2017 Capital Region Heart Walk and Run posed just before the start of the Walk and Run on June 3 at the University at Albany. From left, Amy, Ryan and Bill Galvin; Rosalyn Wallace; and Denise Gonick, president and CEO of MVP Health Care. Ryan is 6 and has two heart defects. Wallace suffered a stroke in 2000. Gonick chaired the 2017 Capital Region Heart Walk and Run.
National results are in and the 2017 Capital Region Heart Walk and Run, held in June at the University of Albany, scored highest marks in different categories.
The community teams that participated in the walk were No. 1 in their market size nationwide, and No. 10 for all market sizes across the whole country. Community teams are made up of groups of friends and family walking together, often united around someone living with – or who has passed away from – heart disease or stroke.
One corporate team also ranked high in fundraising efforts. MVP Health Care, whose president and CEO, Denise Gonick, chaired the Capital Region Heart Walk and Run, was the 20th highest fundraising Heart Walk Team in the Founders Affiliate.
The Founders Affiliate comprises eight states – all the New England states, New York and New Jersey.
This year’s Heart Walk and Run raised $571,483 to help fight heart disease and stroke.
MVP’s own corporate team was the top fundraising team of the 2017 Capital Region Heart Walk and Run, raising $45,232.
“Supporting the American Heart Association’s mission to end cardiovascular disease and stroke is important to me as an individual and to MVP as a health insurer and community organization,” said Gonick. “We know that if people know and monitor their blood pressure and cholesterol numbers and stay active, we can prevent heart disease and stroke. The Heart Walk helps the Heart Association continue to fund research and educate people in the community.”
“We’re really proud of the Capital Region’s commitment to fighting heart disease and stroke,” said John Guastella, executive director of the American Heart Association Capital Region. “Denise Gonick and MVP really helped us get the word out about heart disease prevention and research. In addition to chairing the Heart Walk and raising the most funds of any team, they invited our stroke ambassador to make a presentation to some of their team members. We are very grateful for Denise’s leadership and for MVP’s commitment to the health of our community.”
Other members of the Capital Region Heart Walk executive leadership team were Ellen Sax, MVP; Barb Hess, SEFCU; Karen Magee and Rob Lamoureux; Dr. Suzie Mookherjee, Albany Med; Lee McElroy, RPI; Paul Milton, Ellis Medicine; Daniella Bigalli, Homestead Funding; Harold Iselin and Jennifer Gomez of Greenberg, Traurig, LLP; and Peter Connolly of Keeler Mercedes.
The 2018 Capital Region Heart Walk is scheduled for June 3.
