TAKEN TO HEART

By Sean Barron

Walkers focus on health, helping out

Also available was a lot of information related to good exercise and diet.

YOUNGSTOWN — A little time spent with Tabitha Fiorenza would quickly reveal a healthy, typical 8-year-old who loves to spend time with her best friend, practice cheerleading moves and perform math problems.

What wouldn’t be apparent, however, is that a little more than a year ago, Tabitha underwent a heart transplant because she had been born with a heart defect known as double right ventricle outlet with pulmonary atresia.

Doctors at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital found out she was missing a heart valve, which required a shunt. Eventually, she was placed on a transplant list, and on Sept. 3, 2008, received her new heart.

“When [the procedure’s] over, you don’t have to worry about it,” said Tabitha, before cutting the ribbon to usher in Saturday’s American Heart Association’s 2009 Start! Heart Walk on the Youngstown State University track. “It’s fun to be here.”

The Struthers Elementary School second-grader was this year’s Heart Child. She led an estimated 2,000 walkers from Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties during the event, which was designed to raise funds and advocacy to support stroke and heart disease research as well as educational programs for Valley residents.

This year’s goal is $249,000, noted Allison Mohr, the event’s director. Around 2,500 participated in last year’s walk, which brought in between $160,000 and $170,000, Mohr said.

Before September 2008, Tabitha had little energy, but now loves her renewed strength and endurance, noted her father, Michael. The family was assured that she would heal quickly, though many of her doctors were surprised she recovered so fast, added Tabitha’s mother, Lori.

The yearlong journey has allowed the family to meet many caring people, Michael Fiorenzo said, adding that he wished to thank the donor of his daughter’s heart.

Also at the event were Tabitha’s sister, Hayley, 6, and their 1-year-old brother, Alex.

Perfect weather greeted participants, who made up an estimated 65 teams. The first set of walkers, most of whom wore red caps, were survivors of heart disease or stroke. Soon after, the track was filled with people — many to honor a loved one.

With names such as Walk 2 the Beat, King of Hearts and Team Southwoods, the groups walked the length of the track and many continued on a two-mile course around the YSU campus.

Most teams were named for businesses, as well as friends and family members who suffered from cardiovascular disease or stroke.

Before the walk got under way, attendees picked up a variety of fliers and information pertaining to the two diseases, as well as topics such as good nutrition, healthful cooking techniques and ways to reduce high blood pressure. Health screenings from area agencies and businesses were part of a health fair on the track.

Also on hand were representatives from agencies such as the local chapter of Mended Hearts Inc.

Mended Hearts’ mission is to instill hope in and provide emotional support to those who have had surgery for heart disease, noted Lee Meadows, public-relations chairwoman.

The organization reaches out to patients at Forum Health Northside Medical Center, St. Elizabeth Health Center and Trumbull Memorial Hospital, Meadows explained.

“We want them to know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.” she added.

Mended Hearts has roughly 3,000 members and 276 chapters in the U.S. and Canada. The local branch works in cooperation with the three hospitals and has strong ties to the American Heart Association, Meadows noted.

The opening ceremony featured remarks from Dr. Alyce Martin, event chairwoman, who called Saturday “a day of renewed hope,” and urged people to improve their diets and exercise more.

Also included was a flag ceremony by the YSU ROTC honor guard and a performance by 8-year-old Ryleigh Groom of Salem, who was the 2006 Heart Child.

Ryleigh, who sang “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus, has had two open-heart surgeries, said her mother, Jodi.

The heart walk also had T-shirts for sale, as well as face-painting and other activities for children.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States, with about 500,000 people dying each year from coronary heart disease alone. Some facts:

Signs of a possible attack include an uncomfortable squeezing or pressure in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or returns; pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach; shortness of breath; breaking out in a cold sweat; and experiencing nausea or light-headedness.

Some heart attacks are mild, but those who suffered one are urged to eat healthy meals, be more active and stop smoking.

Talk to a doctor about how to live as normal a life as possible.

Join a cardiac rehabilitation program.

Warning signs of a stroke include sudden numbness in the face, arms, legs or on one side of the body; a sudden inability to see from one or both eyes; quickly having difficulty speaking or understanding another person; and suddenly feeling dizzy or having a severe headache with no known cause.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the country.

Those most at risk are men, blacks and people with diabetes or heart disease.

Someone who suspects a stroke needs to call 911 and get to the nearest hospital immediately. The victim shouldn’t drive, unless no other option is available.

Prevention includes avoiding tobacco and others’ secondhand smoke, treating high blood pressure, eating a diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol and salt, exercising, keeping weight under control, following medication schedules and getting regular checkups.

Source: American Heart Association