Putnam Heart Walk Fights Against #1 Killer--Heart Disease

Hundreds of Putnam County residents came out to support the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission at the Putnam County Heart Walk today at Brewster High School, despite the light rain. It was a parade of parasols and rain ponchos along the walk route all to support healthy hearts and funding for research. The PCSB Bank Team had the largest team again this year, numbering in the hundreds. 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. Working with local leaders and volunteers, 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.