JACKSONVILLE, Fla – Jacksonville Heart Walk is September 17th.The Heart Walk raises money to fund research and awareness for the number one killer of all Americans; heart disease and stroke. Many people have been touched by it or know someone who has and knowing more literally saves lives.
JR Bourne feels pretty good these days.
"I don't really feel personally that I have it that bad it was a one time incident is something that I live with," says Bourne
Last summer this seemingly healthy 40 year old nearly died.
"Just kind of kicking the ball around and turned around and looked back at the shore and it just kind of went to dark," says Bourne.
His heart stopped and Jax Beach lifeguards started CPR - it saved his life and motivated him to make a difference.
"The American Heart Association is affiliated with everything that saved my life on the beach that day I had cardiac arrest went down found lifeguards in Jacksonville Beach they were quick with an AED the person who saved my life before started CPR early was trained probably by programs at the American Heart Association funded and developed here locally," says Bourne.
Bourne works for the PGA tour and has recruited dozens of coworkers, turned team captains, to walk and raise money.
"Once this happened to me I just embraced it and jumped into it I said I have a purpose here I have a passion and why wouldn't I just jump in a be a part of it," says Bourne.
Teams are forming all over our area. A group of patients at Beaches Baptist Cardiac Care have a unique name. Sarah Holloway is a Rehab coordinator at Baptist Beaches they're raising money any way the can.
"They really bonded and became really close friends and they needed a name for their group and they decided grateful undead really spoke to who they were," says Holloway.
Holloway says it's not hard to get people onboard because we're all touched by heart disease or stroke. And for many the heart walk is a celebration of what they survived!
"Everyone as they're walking shares their cardiac story because they know that the person walking next to them is that something similar not exactly the same and they can really relate to each other and support each other and their journey after the cardiac event to get back to normal and have a healthy life," says Holloway.
Channel 4 has been a part of Heart Walk for years and this year we want you to be a part of it too. On Saturday September 17th join us at Metropolitan park. We've all been touched by heart disease if not directly then by someone we love. Join our team 4yourheart.
Everyone who registers and joins team 4yourheart and donates 25 dollars or more will get a free large or x-large Channel 4 t-shirt. Click this link to sign up. You can pick up your shirt at the Channel 4 tent at the walk. Use #4yearheart and #jaxheartwalk on social media to let us know you're all in. Let's raise awareness and money to put a stop to the number one killer of all Americans and make a difference. To register, just head to: http://firstcoastheartwalk.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1150105&lis=1&kntae1150105=AE7EED7B64FF4BB5A4E23506C9442038&team=6828199&tlteam=6612439