SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.- The American Heart Association is hosting its Southern Delaware Heart Walk on Sunday morning at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand. The walk will raise funds and awareness to help families right here in Delaware.
One family is the McDermotts. Their three-year-old daughter, Robin, was born with congenital heart defects. She had her first heart procedure at four days old and multiple surgeries since then.
"I think Robin is always going to have a surgery in her future," says her mom, Mallory. "I feel like she's been through more pain and trauma than most adults will in their entire life, and she's definitely given us a new perspective of life."
The American Heart Association provides resources, research, and outreach for those with congenital heart defects, like Robin's, and also focuses on preventing heart disease and stroke.
"We are closing in on in our 2024--it'll be our 100th anniversary--we are closing in on five billion dollars in research around cardiovascular disease, stroke and rehabilitation," says Executive Director David Morris. "One of the best things about the work we do locally is we partner with all six major health institutions all across to the state of Delaware to really roll out that research or breakthroughs and to help others and create better treatment options for everyone across the state of Delaware."
The Heart Walk will help fund that goal. Some COVID-19 protocols are in effect. For those who can't make it or would rather sit out a larger event, there is a way to walk individually.
The Southern Delaware Heart Walk Starts at 9 AM on Sunday with staggered start times for walkers. All details can be found here.
