Congratulations to everyone who made the 2019 Philadelphia Heart Walk an overwhelming success! More than 2,300 participants supported Penn Medicine’s teams, including 502 walkers from PPMC who braved the chilly temperatures at Citizens Bank Park. The hospital-wide enthusiasm led Presby to double this year’s walker goal and to collect nearly twice its fundraising goal. All told, more than $49,000 was donated to the American Heart Association (AHA) to support their lifesaving research and programming.
According to the AHA, someone in the United States dies from heart disease, stroke, or cardiovascular conditions every 43 seconds, and millions more are at risk. The AHA aims to improve all Americans’ cardiovascular health by 2020 by providing the tools to help people go smoke-free, adopt active lifestyles and healthy diets, and manage their blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol.
“Cardiac services are a major focus for PPMC, and we’re very proud of the exceptional care we provide throughout the region,” said George Iyoob, MHA, RN, BSN, NE-BC, director of Trauma and Orthopaedics, who donned glitter shoes and a boa when the fundraising goal was reached. “Presby is focused on advancing the treatment and prevention of this pervasive disease, and the Heart Walk offers a great chance for us all to renew that commitment in a fun way.”
To add to each of the 46 teams’ fundraising efforts and spread the Heart Walk spirit, PPMC hosted a chili cook-off, sales of baked goods, pretzels, and water ice, 50-50 raffles, and a raffle for 26 prize items ranging from “Mexican Margarita” and “Tour of Italy” baskets to lottery tickets and gift cards.
“I am completely overwhelmed by the outstanding participation from every department. We surpassed our goals not through large donations, but through grassroots collection efforts and events. This was made possible by everyone taking the time to rally around this important, worthy cause in any way they could,” said Gary Ginsberg, assistant executive director of Facilities.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, money, or support at the finish line — you ensured that this was PPMC’s most successful Heart Walk campaign yet!
