CEDAR FALLS — The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, invites all of Cedar Valley to participate in the 2024 Cedar Valley Heart Walk on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Mudd Advertising/Prairie Lakes Campus in Cedar Falls.
The American Heart Association’s premier event to boost physical and mental health, the Heart Walk allows supporters to celebrate heart and stroke survivors, raise lifesaving funds and encourage physical activity. This year’s event takes place during the Association’s Centennial Celebration.
“For 100 years the American Heart Association has saved and improved lives, pioneered scientific discovery and advocated for healthy communities,†said Sydney Yanecek, development director for the American Heart Association, Eastern Iowa. “The Heart Walk saves lives by bringing the community together for better health and raising funds to fight cardiovascular disease.â€
Since the inception of the Heart Walk, national mortality rates from heart disease and stroke have decreased by 45%. Yet cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S. while stroke is No. 5.
This year’s survivor ambassador is 8-year-old Haydn Huddleson of Parkersburg, Iowa. As an infant, Haydn was diagnosed with multiple heart defects, including dextrocardia, mitral valve cleft, coarctation of the aorta, patent ductus arteriosus, partial AV canal, bicuspid aortic valve and tricuspid and mitral valve regurgitation. She has also been diagnosed with autism and 16p12.2 deletion syndrome – a condition so rare, doctors call it “Haydn’s Syndrome.â€
Haydn’s condition has required two open-heart surgeries. But that doesn’t slow her down. She loves to play Miracle Baseball, learn about different animals, swim, travel and visit the zoo. Haydn enjoys life by bringing joy to everyone around her with her smile and laughter.
“Every curveball that’s been thrown at her, she handles with a smile,†said Erin Huddleson, Haydn’s mom.
Festivities begin at 8 a.m. Opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. with the walk to follow. KWWL News anchor Ron Steele and 93.5 The Mix radio personality Bob Westerman will serve as emcees for the event.
To register, visit . From there, participants can stay up to date by downloading the Heart Walk mobile app and encourage friends and family to join in via e-mail or on social media.
The Cedar Valley Heart Walk is sponsored by Cedar Valley Medical Specialists.
The funds raised from the Cedar Valley Heart Walk go towards research, advocacy, CPR training and to promote better health in support of the Association’s 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal, reducing barriers to health care access and quality. The American Heart Association currently funds 38 active research studies in the state of Iowa totaling $7.8 million. The Association also trained more than 112,000 Iowans in the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR last year. To learn more about the Association’s work in Iowa, visit .
