When we think of heart disease and cardiovascular issues, we often think of adults later in age. However, approximately 40,000 children are born with a heart defect each year. And, at least eight of every 1,000 infants born each year have a heart defect. Thank goodness for organizations like the American Heart Association and volunteers across America who get involved not only to raise funds for research but also raise awareness of heart disease. Next month the Stark and Wayne County Healthy For Good Heart Walks will take place, with the Wayne County Walk, Saturday, September 16 at Secrest Arboretum in Wooster. The Stark County Walk will be held Saturday, September 30 at Kent State University-Stark. This walk is the Association’s premier event for raising funds to save lives from this country’s Number 1 and Number 5 killers – heart disease and stroke. 

Jack Ford, senior vice president of Beaver Excavating and chair of the American Heart Association’s Stark and Wayne County Healthy For Good Heart Walks and Dr. Brandon Smith, pediatric cardiologist at Akron Children’s Hospital Heart Center join us today.