Attend These Two Peninsula Events This Weekend and Your Heart Will Thank You

By Susan C. Schena

Victoria Dupuy’s beloved husband, Dean, died unexpectedly in 2013 at age 46 from plaque that ruptured in his heart while playing hockey.

“Dean lived a very active lifestyle and did not fit the profile of someone at risk for a heart attack,” said Dupuy, from the South Bay, who went on to launch the non-profit No More Broken Hearts to raise awareness of early detection for heart disease.

”Since his death, I have immersed myself in learning all that I can about heart disease, plaque, the non-invasive tests that are available and much more,” she said.

“And I am not alone,” she added. “There are many stories just like mine.”

This weekend, No More Broken Hearts is partnering with fellow organizations to support two noteworthy Peninsula events focused on heart care:

• A free screening of the powerful documentary The Widowmaker is scheduled Saturday, March 21 at the Guild Theater in Menlo Park from 10 am - 1 pm. “I want people to change their life after seeing this film,” write the director Patrick Forbes. As the film’s web site states: “Why call the film ‘The Widowmaker’? It’s a tag that’s been applied to a gun, a knife, an outlaw, and a submarine. But none is as deadly as the left anterior descending artery or LAD.”

• Heart Across America Ride kick-off Sunday, March 22 at Palo Alto’s City Hall at 10 a.m. The Silicon Valley community event will celebrate cycling, health, wellness, technology, staying stroke-free and keeping hearts beating strong. Sean Maloney, a former Intel executive and stroke survivor, plans to bicycle 5,000 miles across the country to raise funds and awareness for the cause. See the morning timeline here.

Dupuy encourages the community to come out for both events.

“I do not want anyone to have to experience what my family and friends have gone through,” Dupuy said. ”Heart disease is identifiable, measurable, and manageable through early detection, and yet it is rarely done, even though they have been proven to save lives and can cost less then $100.”

• Photos:
• The Widowmaker, courtesy of film’s web site here.
• Victoria and Dean Dupuy.
• Courtesy of blog by Sean Maloney training for Heart Across America Ride. Follow his journey here.
• Dean and daughter Jordan from a Muddy Buddy Race eight hours before he collapsed. He was completely asymptomatic.
• No More Broken Hearts organization on Facebook.
• Planned route for Hearts Across America Ride.