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Upstate Medical University is tops again at Heart Walk

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- Upstate Medical University was the top team this year at the Syracuse Heart Walk, raising more money and fielding a larger team of participants than any other organization. Upstate has been one of the top performing organization for several years running.

Upstate enlisted 653 participants and raised $42,812. That means nearly one out of every five Heart Walk participants were associated with Upstate, and more than 8 percent of the total proceeds raised at the Heart Walk were from Upstate.

Franklin Fry, executive director of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, offered his congratulations to Upstate. “We are so proud to partner with all the employees and leadership at Upstate who continue to prioritize ‘walking the walk’ when it comes to keeping our community healthy,” he said. “Our sincere appreciation and congratulations for once again being the top Heart Walk team, both in participants and in terms of dollars raised for our mission.”

“I cannot begin to thank everyone who worked so hard to recruit coworkers, families and friends to benefit the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart Walk,” said Zanette Howe, assistant director for community relations. “Every year--no matter what the weather--Upstate employees and friends enthusiastically support this event and the work it does to fight against heart disease and stroke.”

The top teams in terms of giving for Upstate this year were Environmental Services, coordinated by Cheryl Brown, which raised $4,684, and MedBest Medical Management, coordinated by Patti Warga, which raised $4,672.

Employees who individually raised the more than $500 for the Heart Walk were Patti Warga, $2,736; Yvonne Goodman $668; Ryan Green, $610; Amy Nesbitt, $585; Richard Veenstra, $575; Danielle Wheeler-Vickery $520; Theresa Darby, $510 and Renee Calkins, $500.

Warga, the top individual fundraiser for Upstate this year, said she shares that honor with all her friends and family who support her efforts.

“It’s easy to give, especially knowing the valuable work the Heart Association does in saving lives through its research and programs,” said Warga, whose family has been touched by heart disease.

Upstate’s best year for Heart Walk support was in 2015 when 704 members of the Upstate community raised $50,000.

Upstate was present at the Heart Walk in many ways. Not only did it bring the largest crowd to the event, but members of Upstate’s Comprehensive Stroke Center and experts from the Heart and Vascular Center were out in force offering Heart Walk participants doses of stroke awareness and healthy heart information.

The money raised at the Heart Walk helps support advocacy, education and research, including studies at Upstate, such as the one being conducted by Li-ru Zhao, PhD, MD, that is analyzing possible treatment for a rare hereditary stroke disorder and autosomal dominant vascular dementia.

This year’s Heart Walk was held April 2 on the campus of Onondaga Community College.

Caption: Patti Warga was the top individual fundraiser for the Heart Walk from Upstate, raising more than $2,700.

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