(Pascagoula, MS) – Recently, the Chairs and Executive Leadership Team were announced for the Jackson County Healthy For Good Heart Walk, an event to benefit the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association. The walk will take place on March 30, 2019 beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Beach Park (located at 600 Park Street) in Pascagoula, MS. Approximately 500 guests are expected to attend the walk. Co-chairing the Jackson County Heart Walk this year is Eric Washington, M.D. and Jeff Noblin, M.D. of Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists.
The Executive Leadership Committee includes Alan Sudduth (Chevron), Amy Brandenstein (Chevron), Doug Bates (Encore Rehabilitation), Jennifer Garlich (First Federal), Karen Cole (Bancorp South), Rick Spaulding (Ingalls Shipbuilding), Richard Lucas, Caroline Bishop (City of Pascagoula), Cedrick Hurd (Mississippi Power), Robert Johnson, M.D. (Singing River Health System), Myrtle Delgado, Susan Russell (Singing River Health System), David McCormick (Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick), and Mayor Jim Blevins. The event is sponsored by Ingalls Shipbuilding; Chevron; International Marine & Industrial Applicators; Singing River Health System; Craft and Technical Solutions; Compton Engineering Inc.; Absolute Protection; BancorpSouth; Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists; Brock Services; Cornerstone Group; Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick; Encore Rehabilitation Center; First Federal; Gulf Coast Pediatric Center; Gulf Sales and Supply; Lockard and Williams Insurance Services; MEITEC; MS Export RR; Navigator Credit Union; Southern Mississippi Heart Center, P.A.; Willis of Mississippi; and Zachry.
Combining fitness and philanthropy, this annual walk brings together walk teams, individual walkers, survivors of heart disease and stroke, and lifestyle change heroes who are all taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle while raising funds to combat heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 5 leading killers of American men and women. Proceeds go toward funding research, education and community programs targeting these issues. Kylar’s heart is why we walk… Kylar is the 2-year-old son of Tiffany and Keenan Woods. Keenan is a 1st Class Welder at Ingalls. Kylar has a rare congenital heart disease consisting of multiple left heart obstructive defects known as Shone’s Complex. During his second week of life he endured his first open heart surgery to repair a coarctation. His second surgery was at five months to repair his mitral valve. A few days before his 2nd birthday, his mitral valve was replaced. He began wearing oxygen at 3-months-old, but thankfully, he is now oxygen-free. Aside from a few obstacles he’s endured, Kylar’s parents report he has lived an amazing life. They attribute his current health to their “faith in God and to the advancements in medical procedures made possible by the American Heart Association.” You can help make a difference for people like Kylar by sponsoring the event, forming a Heart Walk team, or by joining us at the walk next spring. For more information on the event, please call (228) 604-5306 or visit www.jacksoncountyheartwalk.org.
