Seattle's Congenital Heart Walk 2018 Recap
The Children's Heart Foundation and Adult Congenital Heart Association had a great showing at their first Heart Walk Fundraiser in Seattle!
Every year, 1 out of 100 babies are born with heart defects, though as advancements in research and care continue to progress, helping such infants survive into adulthood is becoming more probable. Despite the work being done to find solutions and treatments for congenital heart disease (CHD), raising funds to further research and awareness is key.
This past May 19th, the Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF), and the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) came together to hold one of their national Congenital Heart Walks in Seattle, a fundraising event series to honor and remember the millions who have been impacted by CHD. Held across the country in over 25 cities, walkers volunteer their time to help raise awareness of this issue in a group walk. The CHF and ACHA are the two of the only organizations solely dedicated to funding the efforts made to improving and extending the lives of those with CHD.
The First, but Not The Last
The event was a first for the Seattle area, drawing a huge crowd of volunteers to help commemorate the inaugural walk. Team members gathered at Seward Park, with matching hats and t-shirts, ready to take on either a 1 or 2.5 mile route along the nature filled trail around the park. Our city was able to raise $42,477.00 on it’s first go around, and even though the event has ended, the number continues to rise. Our UW Medicine team was congratulated at the event as the top fundraising team, with their efforts bringing in a whopping $7,923.00. UW Medicine garnered over 55 donators/walkers, with 477 total donations made to the cause.
Seattle’s Congenital Heart Walk was the only Heart Walk event in the North-West region, with the next closest one being in California. There is an option to fundraise and walk virtually if a registered walker can’t make it to an event. Our team hopes to help curate a future in which cities from all around the North-West can have a group to fundraise and walk with. There is still time to donate to try and reach the $50,000, so please do consider donating to the cause by following this link!
We want to thank all the walkers who came to support and partcipate. Our division is happy to have such caring members who helped make this event a huge success. Till next year!