The American Heart Association was joined by more than 1,000 walkers at the Annual Central Massachusetts Heart Walk on Saturday, May 12, at the DCR’s Quinsigamond State Park, Lake Park in Worcester. As part of the event, the organization honored Holden resident, Kathy Green, senior director, Radiology Services at UMass Memorial Healthcare, with a Heart Hero award.
“Kathy has donated more time and energy to the American Heart Association than any volunteer I know,” said Cynthia Ennis, D.O., cardiologist/electrophysiologist at UMass Memorial Healthcare. “She recruited me to work with AHA years ago, and I will be forever grateful to her for that.”
The American Heart Association recognized Green with this award not only for her exemplary work as a health-care professional, but for her leadership and tireless efforts to help raise life-saving awareness and funds for the organization. Green has been an extremely dedicated and passionate volunteer of the American Heart Association for many years and served as the Central MA Board Chair from 2012 to 2016.
“I have been incredibly fortunate to work alongside some of the most dedicated volunteers in our community,” said Green. “Through their efforts and those of the American Heart Association, our communities are more informed than ever before on the signs and symptoms of stroke and heart disease.”
Thanks to Green’s support, and the support of other dedicated volunteers across Central Massachusetts, thousands of community members are trained in hands-only CPR each year.
“In our high schools and colleges, around Central Massachusetts, the students have taken the CPR baton and are training their family and friends. Through our efforts of AED defibrillator placement, advocacy, community outreach, education and research we’ve had a significant, positive impact,” explained Green. “I am proud to have been part of it, and proud of all those I’ve volunteered alongside.”
Through the leadership of Heart Walk Chairman, Jay Cyr, RN, MS, MBA, senior vice president of Surgical Services at UMass Memorial Healthcare, the Central Massachusetts Heart Walk raised more than $130,000 to support the American Heart Association’s mission to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. This year’s event consisted of 90 teams and 50 companies that brought together more than 1,000 walkers. Throughout the morning, more than 200 people were trained in the life-saving skills of Hands-Only CPR.
In addition to the CPR training, there was a mascot dance contest, kid-friendly activities and music. The Heart Walk is locally sponsored by UMass Memorial Healthcare, Saint Vincent Hospital, Commerce bank, a division of Berkshire Bank, Vital EMS, Vibra Hospital and The Meadows, AIS, Inc. and Reliant Medical Group. Media sponsors include WXLO Radio and the event was emceed by Hank Stolz from the Hank Stolz Experience Show. For more information, please visit www.CentralMAHeartWalk.org.