Putnam Residents Step Out to Fight Heart Disease & Stroke at Heart Walk

Hundreds of Putnam area residents stepped out to fight heart disease in their own lives and fund research at the April 28th American Heart Association’s annual Putnam HeartWalk at Brewster High School. Donations are still being accepted online at www.putnamheartwalk.org.

 Lifelong Putnam resident Barbara Scuccimarra was recognized as the 2019 Putnam Heart Walk Community Honoree for her work on the Tobacco 21 Law which passed last fall in Putnam County. The American Heart Association helped pass the law in six Hudson Valley
counties in the past year and advocated for a statewide law. The Senate and Assembly have passed tobacco 21 legislation and it is awaiting Gov. Cuomo’s signature.

The American Heart Association supports statewide tobacco 21, or T-21, legislation which changes the sale age of tobacco products, including vaping and cigarette products from 18 to 21. Putnam became the sixth Hudson Valley county to pass Tobacco 21 legislation in
the past year, along with Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester Counties. Scuccimarra was the T-21 bill sponsor in Putnam.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and the most expensive chronic condition. Tobacco use causes chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and other forms of cancer. In New York State alone, more than half a million people currently have a disease caused by smoking, resulting in about $10.39 billion in health care expenditures annually.

Three local “Survivor Honorees” were honored at the event for helping to raise awareness and funds to fight heart disease. Six-year old Landon Perez, from Brewster, was diagnosed with a serious congenital heart defect at one month old. Patrick Barrett of Pawling had sudden cardiac arrest while working out at the gym. He was only 45 years old at the time. Jennifer Garcia, of Peekskill, was only 40 when she had chest pain while dancing at a party.

Funds raised through the Putnam Heart Walk help to support the research, awareness, and advocacy work of the American Heart Association that help save lives from cardiovascular diseases like heart disease and stroke – the number one and five killers in the U.S. The Heart Walk is sponsored by Dr. Patrick W. Thomas and Mrs. Johanna D. Thomas, PCSB Bank, Putnam Hospital Center, and media sponsors Examiner Media, Mahopac News, Hudson Valley Magazine, and WHUD Radio.

 

For more photos of the days event go to the Brewster HamletHub Facebook Page.

B
Submitted by Brewster, NY

Become a Local Voice in Your Community!

HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected.

Read Next