August 21, 2025 • 30 mins
About the 2025 Pittsburgh Heart Walk
9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital die. In most of those cases, bystander CPR was not performed. But we can change this.
Cardiac arrests happen at work, in homes, on athletic fields and in neighborhoods everywhere, and the readiness of our community can be the difference between life and death. Javion was saved by his coach’s quick CPR action when he collapsed on the basketball court. Stories like Javion's can become more common by creating communities who are ready to act in the case of an emergency.
It's time to unite, take action, and save lives. Our goal is to have one person in every household confident and prepared to perform CPR. The American Heart Association invites YOU to join the Heart Walk to broaden our impact by turning bystanders into lifesavers.
Register now to take the first step in saving lives. Every walker who joins, every dollar donated, means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone.I Walk to Save Lives. You can too!
https://www2.heart.org/site/TR?fr_id=12083&pg=entry
9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital die. In most of those cases, bystander CPR was not performed. But we can change this.
Cardiac arrests happen at work, in homes, on athletic fields and in neighborhoods everywhere, and the readiness of our community can be the difference between life and death. Javion was saved by his coach’s quick CPR action when he collapsed on the basketball court. Stories like Javion's can become more common by creating communities who are ready to act in the case of an emergency.
It's time to unite, take action, and save lives. Our goal is to have one person in every household confident and prepared to perform CPR. The American Heart Association invites YOU to join the Heart Walk to broaden our impact by turning bystanders into lifesavers.
Register now to take the first step in saving lives. Every walker who joins, every dollar donated, means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone.I Walk to Save Lives. You can too!
https://www2.heart.org/site/TR?fr_id=12083&pg=entry
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
And welcome in. This is a public affairs program shedding
the light on the interest, issues and concerns of the
greater Pittsburgh area. Good morning. My name is Johnny Heartwell.
Today we have the Heart Association and studio, we have
the Walk chair and I'm not even going to pronounce
his name. There's no way I'm going to get it right.
So Mark introduce yourself.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Hi, everybody, I'm Mark Wapazski. Little sad you didn't try,
but well we'll forgive you this time. Well do you
really want me to butcher in your name?
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Everybody does, so you might as well join the club.
And Dave, I'm not going to pronounce your name even
though I can, so it's fair. Dave introduce yourself.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
I'm David Donahoe. I'm a P and C employee and
a cardiac arrest survivor.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
All right, so today we're going to be talking about
the Heart Walk and I'm going to be part of
it as I've done the last couple of years. And
we've got a new location, the Heartwood Acres. So it's
Johnny Heartwell with the Heart Association of Heartwood Acres. I
think it all fits all wraps up in a nice
little bow. It's perfect, all right. So the walk chair,
is this your first year as chairman? And what do
(01:07):
we need to know about the walk?
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Yeah, it is my first year's chairman. Actually, it's my
first year in Pittsburgh. So I'm a recent transplant from
Saint Louis. I was happy to join Saint Louis. Is
that near here? Oh, come on, I don't think we
need to go there. If we started talking about the
Pirates and the Cardinals already, it's gonna get ugly.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Well, the last good year we had, you ruined it,
thank you, and I'm blaming you, you personally for that anyway,
So you we welcome Puts to Pittsburgh first, thank you.
But what you jumped into the fire as chairman your
first year, that's great.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
I mean I wanted to be part of the community
and figure out a way to help the community because
I've just fallen in love with Pittsburgh. Not all the
way there yet with the Pirates, but I am. I
am squarely in the Steelers camp, so you know, adopting
them as my second team. I won't tell you who's
my first. But in doing this, what I really wanted
to do is be able to make an impact on
the community that I live in. I think it's just
(01:59):
super important.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
When you were in Missouri, did you did you? Were
you participating with the Heart Association?
Speaker 3 (02:04):
There?
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Not with a Heart Association, but I was at the
American Red Cross. Okay, so you have similar missions, a
little related in a lot of ways. But you know,
I was just happy to be connected with such a
great organization here.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
What brings you to Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
I worked for P and C and I've been with
them for about three years, and so I transferred to
continue my role here in headquarters.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
All right, let's talk to Dave. What's your resume and
what made you tie in with the Heart Association.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Well, I'm originally from Boston, and I came out here
about twelve and a half years ago to take a
job with P and C. And in twenty seventeen, a
flyer crossed my desk because P ANDC was a sponsor
of the Heart Walk. And we'll talk about this a
little later, I'm certain, but I forget, Oh, this is
a good cause, and I think I'll participate in this
and I have ever since, except for the first one.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Do we tell do I ask about the first one.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Do you want to tell you now?
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Sure?
Speaker 3 (03:01):
All right, so I'll keep it short if you want.
But so I had signed up for the one in
twenty seventeen, and I was really excited.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
It was a Chris Fall day.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
And there were a lot of my colleagues there and
people from other companies as well, and I got to
the signup tent and then the next thing I knew,
I seen to recall being on the floor of the
Red Line car and I'm saying, well, I just came
in the Red Line. Why am I on my back?
And then when I fully came to I woke up
at Allegheny General and then they told me that I
had suffered an incident of cardiac arrest. So I didn't
(03:32):
complete the first one, but I have ever since the
irony of it all. My body just was so revulsed
by the idea of exercise. I must have just completely
given up.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Karen Colbert, who is in studio but she's just too
pretty to be on the microphone. I was talking to
her a couple of years ago and we started talking
about blood pressure, and it made me curious about what
my blood pressure is after all these years. I really
wasn't I didn't know, and I did and it was high,
(04:04):
it was really high. And you know, I got to
thank the Heart Association should making dramatic differences in my life. God,
I'm now on blood pressure medication, I'm exercising, I'm trying
to lose weight, I'm trying to eat better. And you know,
these kind of interviews, these kind of conversations truly make
a difference. So having a heart attack at a heart walk,
(04:30):
what did you learn from that?
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Well, again, I was very fortunate to be in the
place where I was because there were dedicated paramedics to
come to my aid when anybody I think it was
three minutes. But the very first person there was actually
an off duty e MT. And he was the first
to start at CPR before the paramedics came to apply
it to fibrillater. And so what I learned is the
importance of knowing CPR. And so I'm here to share
(04:55):
the story so that people will hear it, learn it
so that if there ever you know, God forbidden as
similar to this, they can help a person. But I'd
also like people to participate in the walk we're going
to talk about, because the funds that are raised through
this go towards you know, research which led to hands
only CPR, which we'll talk about, and education of how
to you know, perform it. So that's all I learned.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Let's turn to Mark since your walk chair tell us
everything we need to know about this year's walk.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Yeah, So this year's walk is on October fourth. The
event opens around eight o'clock in the morning. The walk
actually starts at ten. And the thing I think it's
really important to know is, yes, it's a walk, but
it's also more of just like this great family event.
It almost feels like a fair. There's activities for the
kids to do. There's lots of you know, opportunities to
(05:44):
learn CPR and get some practice on some of the
you know, the dummies that are there. And it's like
a whole just family event. So come out be a
part of it. Go on the walk.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Now, one thing that we should mention is it it's
a new location this year. It's going to be at
Heartwood Acres. Last year it was down at the point,
so it's a new location. So I think Heartwalk, uh,
and then Heartwood Acres Heartwood Acres Heart Walk with Heart
Association all about the Heart all about the Heart all
all day on October fourth. Now, Uh, you got to
(06:20):
think so is P and C one of the sponsors
for this.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Absolutely got a lot of several sponsors uh and a
lot of employees from lots of different organizations that are
going to be joining. And thank all of them uh
for their support. And it's a great way to come
out and also learn to live healthier lives and.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
You know, be a part of it. You know what's
great about the Heart Walk, it's a well oiled machine.
It's you get up there, you learn a little bit
about you know, hands on you know, training and things
like that, you learn CPR, you did, you know, you
get to meet old friends.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
But it goes fairly quickly, and it's you know, it's
a great event. And like you said, it's like a fair.
There's all sorts of things to see and do. They've
got you know, booze and things that you can see beforehand.
Of course, the walk is always the main event. And
if somebody wants to get more information, do you have
a website that people should should check out?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Of course if you go to www dot heart dot
org slash Pittsburgh Walk, you will find out everything that
you need to know about the event. We would love
for you to register. You can create a team if
you want and bring a whole group of your friends,
and in fact, we think that that's one of the
best ways to get involved.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Now, Dave, your first year in participation, you just told
a brief story of of you actually having a cardiac
event at the at the Heart Walk. So you were
brave enough to come the very next year.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Yeah, well, I think it was necessarily brave. I thought
I had some unfinished business, honestly, And you know, I
always knew of the American Heart Association, but I never
really you know, gave much thought to like what they
actually do. And as I said earlier, learning about how
the funds are directed, and so I wanted to participate again,
and I have just continued to do whatever since it's
an automatic for me. Now.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Now, if you want more information on the Heart Heart
Association or the Heart Walk, don't do it like Dave.
He learned it in a very very strange way of
having an event at our event. And so what did
you learn afterwards about either heart care or about the
(08:32):
Heart Association.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Well, in the things you touched on earlier, that again,
the importance of you know, checking your blood pressure, regular exercise, diet.
I mean, I'm still kind of an zoftig individual, but
you know, those things are important and I try to
do better, and that's something you're all working towards. It's
the journey, not the end. And then again that the
(08:54):
research that they do led to things like hands only CPR,
and that was something that you know didn't exist, you
know what, a decade or two ago. I think it's
kind of a relatively new technique for saving people.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Did anybody perform CPR on you? They did? Okay, they did?
Was it a number of people? Was it amts or
it was?
Speaker 3 (09:15):
Yeah. So the first individuals enough due the EMT, Jim
Fetterhoff I believe it was his name, and he started,
and then the designated paramedics Roe Bendig, Ira McIntyre, I
believe in other Jen Kruber, I think their names I'm
forgetting at the moment, unfortunately, but they all came in.
They took turns in applying CPR. Then they used of
(09:37):
the fibrillator and I got shocked twice and then I
ultimately came to and I think actually that I was
told later because your mind doesn't process what's happening.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
I was told.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
I sat up immediately, and I looked at at Ira,
who had been giving me CPR, and I said, why
are you so close to me? And I tried to
walk away and they said, no, no, no, just just stay
where you are. Had no comprehension of what had been
going on.
Speaker 1 (10:02):
And how many minutes were you unconscious?
Speaker 3 (10:06):
I don't honestly know. I think that I was attended to,
I think within three minutes, but in terms of start
to finish, I don't think I've ever really found out
how long it was. I mean, it's time is crucial.
I think I think it's within ten minutes. I think
if you're not getting any aid immediately, then your odds
are really dire. So I was fortunate that people were
nearby that knew what to do, because time is of
the essence and knowledge is important.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
And that's one of the things that in this year's
Heart Walk is one of the themes is being a
nation of life savers. So Dave was incredibly fortunate, you know,
to have his event where he did that there were
bystanders that were able to come in and take action immediately,
and that's the other thing that kind of got me
excited about being in the chair was creating this nation
of lifesavers. You if in the unfortunate event that you
(10:52):
have a cardiac arrest event, having somebody there that takes
action is the difference, you know, in life or.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Death because minutes minutes matter, Minutes.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Matter, And the sad statistic is that nine out of
ten people who have a cardiac arrest event outside of
a hospital won't survive. But by having a bystander there
to do some of that hands only CPR, that essentially
doubles your chances of survival. And if you are fortunate
enough to have an automated defibrillator, it doubles your chances again.
(11:22):
So that's why it's so important to have people that
know what to do in the time and in that moment.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
I'm reading statistics right now, nine out of ten people
who suffer cardiac arrests outside the hospital die. Dave, you
were very fortunate.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
I was. I wouldn't say blessed, but you're absolutely right.
The numbers are staggering. If I think about it, I
kind of get sad, but I really was.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
The Heart Association invites you to join the Heart Walk
to broaden your impact by turning bystanders into life savers
and Mark you mentioned the nation of life savers. Is
this something that we're going to discover us during the
heart walk And what is the message that you want
to tell people?
Speaker 3 (12:04):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (12:05):
The message really is the statistic we just talked about
is really unfortunate. And there's another one that to me
brings it home even more, which is that three out
of every four cardiac events happen in your home. So
what that really means is the person that you're getting
trained to potentially be able to take action on is
(12:28):
probably somebody that you love and probably somebody that you
live with. And so that's why want of the missions
and the things that you'll hear a lot about at
the heart Walk is we want there to be a
person that knows what to do in every household. And
it's just as straightforward as saying, because the statistics will
show that's where it's most likely to happen. And unfortunately,
(12:49):
if you don't have somebody there, your odds of survival
plummet and it takes on average an ambulance thirteen minutes
to get to your house, so that time you will
never recover from and one of the worst things that
you know, I feel like can happen is your face
of that situation and you don't know what to do.
And so that's what we want to turn around.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
You know, even when you know how to do it.
I've been taught CPR a number of times, probably a
half a dozen times, and the procedure has changed over
the last five or ten years. You had your event
at the Heart Walk in twenty eighteen, seventeen seventeen, so
that was eight years ago. Were they doing mouth to
(13:32):
mouth or were they just doing chess compared.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
They did both for me. But I guess the research
has led to the idea that you don't need it
for I think it's teens and adults. You can do
hands only for them. If you're like a child or
a drowning victim, or there are others smaller category than
they still want you to do the mouth to mouth
as well.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Yeah, I've taken a CPR class twice in the last
five years and it's just hands only, yep. And of
course everybody knows the from the from the office, you know,
the doing the compressions to the beat of staying alive,
and that's amazing that's that is so that is that
has transcended that TV show and it's important and I
(14:15):
think if I had to do it, I don't think
I would get that song out of my head.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
The earworm is amazing. It's large and there forever you'll
never forget it.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
So during the heart walk, are we discussing, you know,
hands only CPR.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Absolutely, there'll be a couple of opportunities for demonstrations. Like
as I said before, there'll be some opportunities for you to,
you know, come in and do some practice. Like anything,
practice is so important. You will remember what to do
in the moment if it ever presents itself by being prepared,
and you can't underestimate, uh, you know, just that feeling
(14:50):
and how you know hard and fast you have to
push and you know the training will kick into action.
I was a lifeguard in my younger days, and it's
amazing to me. You go through these trainings every pretty
much every year, and in the moment when you actually
see somebody in stress or in peril, your training just
(15:13):
kicks in and before you know it, you're jumping in
the water swimming after somebody. And it's kind of a
Dave's point of kind of not knowing how you got
from here to there. I can tell you many stories
of where I've gone in after somebody and you kind
of look back and you go, well, what happened to
my sunglasses?
Speaker 1 (15:27):
And you know, where's my whistle? And like you's my
water bottle? You've actually had the times where you've actually
had to save somebody in the water.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Yeah, I worked at a at a place it was
like half water park. A lot of times it was
just a kid who had wandered a little bit too
far away because it had a zero entry depth and
so the current kind of swept them a little bit
too far away. I'd love to say it was some
sort of like heroic event, but anybody was watching could
have jumped in and done it. But what I think
is interesting is you just you will do it instinctively
(15:57):
when that when that time comes, if you have the
practice and if you've trained well.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Working for PMC is a little safer, then it is
safer in a lot of ways. But there's a lot
of parallels.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
And you know some of the work I do in technology,
you know, things happen and you need to be prepared
to react, just like everything else in life.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Well, of course we have to thank PMC for being
one of the sponsors for the Heart Walk. Do you
have a list of some of the other sponsors.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
Yeah, I got a lot of great sponsors, so u
PMC has been a fantastic partner for a long time.
Cisco AEC Group ZOL has also been a fantastic sponsor. Yeah,
you don't give them what they do. Miscarrow Howard Concrete
and Pumping, Impact Consulting Solutions, Thermofiicier Scientific and Alleghany Health Network.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Certainly, we want to acknowledge the sponsors, but we also
want to thank everybody who walks and walks and participates
every year because that is the heartbeat of the Heart
Association and the Heart Walk you have. It's like a
sea of red, which is heartwarming, which is pun intended
for the Heart Walk, which is coming up on October fourth.
(17:05):
You can register now and join us on Saturday, October
fourth at Heartwood Acres. That's important a new location. You
can register online at heart dot org slash Pittsburgh Walk.
If you want more information on the Heart Association, you
can just go to heart dot org. We're talking to
walkchair Mark and Dave here. Dave who actually had an
(17:26):
event at a heartwalk eight years ago. For those just
tuning in, can you kind of fill us in on
the story again? Sure?
Speaker 3 (17:33):
So in twenty seventeen, I participated in my first hard
walk here in Pittsburgh, and I felt great that morning.
I went to the sign up tent. I remember signing
in clearly, and then the next thing I knew, I
had a recollection of being in my back on one
of the redline cars, Like, that's odd because I just
came into the red line. Why am I on my
(17:53):
back and leaving? And then I woke up an Allegheny
general I was told I was a survivor of a cardiac.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Arrest at the hard walk, which is so ironic, right,
So what kind of recovery did you have to go through?
Did you have any surgery?
Speaker 3 (18:08):
So, without going too far back, I'd been diagnosed with
aphib atro fibrillation in twenty thirteen and I was asymptomatic,
so I never knew I had anything. So my cardiologist
and I decided, well, we'll just keep an eye on it.
We'll give you, you know, some blood thinners, and then maybe
somewhere down the road will have a procedure done to
address it. So in twenty sixteen, the decision was made
(18:34):
to have an ablation procedure performed where they cauterized the
muscle behind the heart so that the electrical impulses will
be regular and you don't risk getting a clot and stroke.
So every three months for the next year, you know,
we were doing follow ups and everything seemed fine. So
literally about a month and a half before this walk,
I got reports saying it looks like the procedure was successful,
(18:56):
and so again I felt I was out of the woods.
So I was happy about that. When the flyer came
across my desk three days before the walk, three days
I said, well, let me give some money for good cause.
It's a nice, leisurely three mile walk. What harm could
this possibly do? And then all this happened and they said,
well you had vent tricular fibrillation. I'm like, excuse me.
(19:18):
And all the follow up showed I don't have any
blockages anywhere, I don't have any tears in my heart,
I have no genetic predisposition. It's medically inexplicable. So you know, again,
as we said, it's important regularly your blood pressure, watch,
which you eat, exercise, regularly things I'm still aiming to
do better.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
We all do, we all and Dave.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
One of the things that I find inspiring at the
walk is survivors have a bell to ring when they
finish their walk. So could you tell us a little
bit about like one, I hope you do it, and
two how does that make you feel?
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Well?
Speaker 3 (19:50):
It was only this past year, I think was the
first time that I did it, because it was there
and maybe I wasn't paying attention or know they just
they funneled me formally to it. I got a lot
of aggression. Ring that bell felt pretty good.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
That's not the answer, expert, all right, Mark, how would
you want him there?
Speaker 2 (20:09):
I was thinking, you know, so greatly inspired, you know,
by everything that's going on. But look, I I you know,
having been through that, and I'm sure there was a
lot of aggression, so it probably is is an honest
and appropriate answer.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
So I appreciate that.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
Well.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
Heart disease touches every family. There's nobody that has been
that has not been touched by some sort of you know,
heart disease because it's the number one killer in America,
and it's that important that the Heart Association puts on
this Heart Walk to not only raise funds for research
and everything they do, but also educate the people and
(20:45):
what some of the things that we ought to do.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
You know.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
For example, I learned a lot just by talking to
the heartstics to really check my my blood pressure, and
it really has made a huge difference. I every day,
every day, I check out my blood pressure and if
it's a little high, I need to, you know, probably
watch my diet. Maybe I need to work out a
little bit more, and I have. I have worked out
(21:11):
consistently since having that opportunity to talk to the Heart Association,
So I can I can vouch for myself that it
has made a difference. And I'm sure Dave it's made
a difference in your life too.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
Absolutely. Oh yeah, And just to follow up, I don't
want to make it sound like I only had aggression.
I mean, there are a lot of people that are
cheering you on as you come approach, like the finish
line for those that are survivors. So I was like,
I was overwhelmed by emotion before I rang the bell,
and then I let the aggression out. But yeah, so
it's it's yeah, it's.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
Karen just showed me a picture of you ringing the bell.
I don't know if there's aggression. It looks like looks
like a very happy Dave. I was pretty happy overall. Yeah,
it's so great. You're really the poster boy of the
Heart Walk, aren't you. Since you've gone through.
Speaker 3 (21:58):
I have the face for radio though, so but yeah,
in a way, I'm happy to share the story whenever
I'm asked, you know, I want to get the word
out to people because the circumstance is so unusual. I
don't think a Hollywood screenwriter could honestly come up with this.
But I want people to learn how to perform hands
only CPR. I want them to participate in the walk
because it's a fun time and to contribute so the
(22:19):
funds can go towards research, which again, you know, that
takes a full circle with more research and more education.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
And Dave has been so great at giving up his
time and telling the story not only across PNC, but
he's done at least two or three other events with
me about the heart Walk, and that's sort of what
I love. And that's kind of why I was asking
him about ringing the bell is he's clearly looking to
not just give back, you know, time by coming to
the Heart Walk, but by trying to get more people
(22:45):
excited about it. And one of the things that I
just think is so fantastic for Pittsburgh because we have
some great universities here.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
Every dollar that's raised.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
By the American Heart Association in Pittsburgh, three dollars and
twenty five cents comes back into the Pittsburgh economy because
of what is done here in Pittsburgh. There's not a
whole lot of not for profit and charitable donations that
you can make that have a three x impact on
the community that you live in. So it's such a
(23:13):
unique thing for Pittsburgh. It also got me really excited
about this opportunity and again about making you know Pittsburgh
better and in more ways than just you know, your
heart health. It's good for the it's good for the community.
Speaker 1 (23:25):
All right. So the Heart Walk is coming up on
October fourth. Since you're the walk chair, tell us everything
we need to know about this this year's event.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Yeah, it's going to be at Heartwood Acres. Fantastic event.
The event opens at eight, The walk actually starts around
ten o'clock. It's such a family friendly event. Bring your dogs,
there's activity for you.
Speaker 1 (23:44):
My favorite part, I'm not gonna lie. I see you know,
like there's so many dogs. My god. Look, I've never
met a dog I didn't want to pet.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
And I've got two Yorkies. They're a little you know,
they get a little crazy at times. I'm going to
maybe try to bring them. But nobody can make fun
of me if my dogs happened to be in a stroller.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
I love them to death. And it's and it's weird.
It's always weird to see a big guy, you know
with little dogs. But you know that's just the way
the category. They're the best dogs. They're they're they've got
big personalities in that little teeny body. But that, yeah,
that's what I love. But you know, I love dogs too.
Want to see you know, all of them out there.
They get you walking if nothing else. You know, they're
they're good. They're good for your health and obviously you're
(24:24):
there to you know, kind of take care of them.
But uh, you know, come out, bring the family. Uh
there's balloon, you know, animals for the kids, face painting.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
So while we talk about it in terms of a walk, uh,
it really is more just a fun event. With your
friends and family and uh for a really good cause.
So you can come out join us in the morning,
you know by the afternoon. We know Saturdays are are busy,
especially in the fall, but what a great way to
start your day and then have this kind of impact
on the community and and then go out and enjoy
(24:55):
the great community.
Speaker 1 (24:55):
The Pittsburgh is new location this year, Heartwood Acres. Apparently
the UH there's going to be some construction at Points
State Park, so they've had to move it to Heartwood Acres.
But I think it makes sense Heartwood Acres with the
Heart Association, it makes all the sense in the world.
If you'd like to get more information or if you'd
like to join join us, go to heart heart dot
(25:17):
org slash Pittsburgh Walk. That's heart dot org slash Pittsburgh Walk.
But in addition to the walk and it's a fair event.
What are some of the things that that that's going
to be featured at this year's walk.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Yeah, one of the things that's featured is just our
Nation of Life savers, demonstrations of hands only CPR and
of course you will be there, yes, which is going
to be It was always very exciting.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
John Hartwell at the Heart Walk and the Heart Association.
Of course I'm going to participate. I almost have to,
don't I exactly.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
The other thing we haven't spoken much about is the
mobile app, so you know when you go and you register.
The other great resource that you get access to is
a mobile app. I'm on it probably about every day,
probably more for my role as the chair, but there's
a lot of great things in there, like you can
learn hands only CPR right there in the app, so
(26:13):
you can kind of do that visually then come to
the event and get some practice. The other really important
thing that we've talked about a little bit is just
living well and your overall health. It's another great thing
that's going to be out there as some free health screenings.
So if you're not sure you want to get an
idea on things like your blood pressure, come on out
(26:34):
and those things will be available.
Speaker 1 (26:36):
October fourth, Heartwood Acres. Get more info at heart dot org,
slash Pittsburgh Walks. As the walk chair, what are some
of the things that you want to accomplish. What was
the reason why you wanted to participate as walkchair.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Yeah, my biggest reason was some of the statistics we
talked about earlier, just the odds that you might have
to do this on somebody that you like of either
at home or at the office. That's really meaningful to
me because I don't ever want to be in a
position where you know, something happens and I'm not able
to take action, and really doing that across an entire
(27:12):
community and trying to get to having one person in
every household that knows how to do that is really
important to me.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
Dave, Other than you know, being the poster boy of
somebody who've had a cardiac arrest at a heart walk,
what is the message that you want to present.
Speaker 3 (27:32):
Like it's Marcus said it, like every one person in
every household to learn how to do hands only CPR.
If that happened, that would be fantastic.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
And it's pretty simple. It's simple. It's you know, the mouth.
The mouth is something that they don't do anymore. It's
as far as you know, young adults and adults, and
it's that it's just learning how to do it and
letting that training set in. And so when you're faced
with that situation, remember muscle memory. Yeah, minutes do matter,
all right, we only have about a minute left, so
let's cover the basics. The Heart Walk is coming up
(28:02):
on October fourth, Heartwood Acres. That's a Saturday morning. You
can participate by going to heart dot org slash Pittsburgh Walk.
You got the walk the hands hands only CPR Nation
of Life Savers. So if you haven't signed up, please do.
Let's mention the sponsors very quickly. Of course, P and C.
Since you guys both represent that company.
Speaker 2 (28:23):
Do you bet upmc zol, Mescaro, AEC Group, Cisco. There's
a lot of other companies that I didn't get a
chance to mention whose employees are participating. So we just
thank all of those people who are doing everything they
can to make Pittsburgh great.
Speaker 1 (28:37):
And of course those participants are the lifeblood of the
Heart Walk. So please join today at heart dot org
slash Pittsburgh Walk. Mark and Dave, thank you so much
for your time. I'll see you on October fourth, looking
forward to it. Thanks, can't wait to see you there.
Thanks for the time. As always, If you have any comments, concerns,
or an idea for a future program, please email us
from this radio station's website. I'm Johnny Heartwell, thank you
(28:58):
so much for listening.
Speaker 4 (29:12):
Hi, I'm Ryan Blaney, a third generation race car driver,
and we dedicate a lot of our time to going
as fast as possible. My Grandpa Lohu is the reason
why my dad and I started racing, and I'm really
proud to follow on his tracks. But when my grandpa
was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, it was a very unexpected bump
in the road for us. I've learned a lot on
this journey with my Grandpa Lou and the memories of
my grandpa will always be with me. It's important to
(29:33):
notice if older family members are acting differently, experiencing problems
with their memory, or having trouble with routine tasks. Talking
about Alzheimer's can be really tough, but if you notice something,
have a conversation with your level, encourage them to see
a doctor or offer to go with them. Early detection
of Alzheimer's can give your family time to explore support services,
make a plan for the future, and access available treatments.
(29:53):
The Alzheimer's Association provides care, support and research to help
you take control of the situation with your family and
manage the disease together. If you or your family are
noticing changes, it could be Alzheimer's talk about seeing a
doctor together. Visit alz dot org slash time to talk.
A message from the Alzheimer's Association and the AD Counsel
And welcome in. This is a public affairs program shedding
the light on the interest, issues and concerns of the
greater Pittsburgh area. Good morning. My name is Johnny Heartwell.
Today we have the Heart Association and studio, we have
the Walk chair and I'm not even going to pronounce
his name. There's no way I'm going to get it right.
So Mark introduce yourself.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Hi, everybody, I'm Mark Wapazski. Little sad you didn't try,
but well we'll forgive you this time. Well do you
really want me to butcher in your name?
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Everybody does, so you might as well join the club.
And Dave, I'm not going to pronounce your name even
though I can, so it's fair. Dave introduce yourself.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
I'm David Donahoe. I'm a P and C employee and
a cardiac arrest survivor.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
All right, so today we're going to be talking about
the Heart Walk and I'm going to be part of
it as I've done the last couple of years. And
we've got a new location, the Heartwood Acres. So it's
Johnny Heartwell with the Heart Association of Heartwood Acres. I
think it all fits all wraps up in a nice
little bow. It's perfect, all right. So the walk chair,
is this your first year as chairman? And what do
(01:07):
we need to know about the walk?
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Yeah, it is my first year's chairman. Actually, it's my
first year in Pittsburgh. So I'm a recent transplant from
Saint Louis. I was happy to join Saint Louis. Is
that near here? Oh, come on, I don't think we
need to go there. If we started talking about the
Pirates and the Cardinals already, it's gonna get ugly.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Well, the last good year we had, you ruined it,
thank you, and I'm blaming you, you personally for that anyway,
So you we welcome Puts to Pittsburgh first, thank you.
But what you jumped into the fire as chairman your
first year, that's great.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
I mean I wanted to be part of the community
and figure out a way to help the community because
I've just fallen in love with Pittsburgh. Not all the
way there yet with the Pirates, but I am. I
am squarely in the Steelers camp, so you know, adopting
them as my second team. I won't tell you who's
my first. But in doing this, what I really wanted
to do is be able to make an impact on
the community that I live in. I think it's just
(01:59):
super important.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
When you were in Missouri, did you did you? Were
you participating with the Heart Association?
Speaker 3 (02:04):
There?
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Not with a Heart Association, but I was at the
American Red Cross. Okay, so you have similar missions, a
little related in a lot of ways. But you know,
I was just happy to be connected with such a
great organization here.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
What brings you to Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
I worked for P and C and I've been with
them for about three years, and so I transferred to
continue my role here in headquarters.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
All right, let's talk to Dave. What's your resume and
what made you tie in with the Heart Association.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Well, I'm originally from Boston, and I came out here
about twelve and a half years ago to take a
job with P and C. And in twenty seventeen, a
flyer crossed my desk because P ANDC was a sponsor
of the Heart Walk. And we'll talk about this a
little later, I'm certain, but I forget, Oh, this is
a good cause, and I think I'll participate in this
and I have ever since, except for the first one.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Do we tell do I ask about the first one.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Do you want to tell you now?
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Sure?
Speaker 3 (03:01):
All right, so I'll keep it short if you want.
But so I had signed up for the one in
twenty seventeen, and I was really excited.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
It was a Chris Fall day.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
And there were a lot of my colleagues there and
people from other companies as well, and I got to
the signup tent and then the next thing I knew,
I seen to recall being on the floor of the
Red Line car and I'm saying, well, I just came
in the Red Line. Why am I on my back?
And then when I fully came to I woke up
at Allegheny General and then they told me that I
had suffered an incident of cardiac arrest. So I didn't
(03:32):
complete the first one, but I have ever since the
irony of it all. My body just was so revulsed
by the idea of exercise. I must have just completely
given up.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Karen Colbert, who is in studio but she's just too
pretty to be on the microphone. I was talking to
her a couple of years ago and we started talking
about blood pressure, and it made me curious about what
my blood pressure is after all these years. I really
wasn't I didn't know, and I did and it was high,
(04:04):
it was really high. And you know, I got to
thank the Heart Association should making dramatic differences in my life. God,
I'm now on blood pressure medication, I'm exercising, I'm trying
to lose weight, I'm trying to eat better. And you know,
these kind of interviews, these kind of conversations truly make
a difference. So having a heart attack at a heart walk,
(04:30):
what did you learn from that?
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Well, again, I was very fortunate to be in the
place where I was because there were dedicated paramedics to
come to my aid when anybody I think it was
three minutes. But the very first person there was actually
an off duty e MT. And he was the first
to start at CPR before the paramedics came to apply
it to fibrillater. And so what I learned is the
importance of knowing CPR. And so I'm here to share
(04:55):
the story so that people will hear it, learn it
so that if there ever you know, God forbidden as
similar to this, they can help a person. But I'd
also like people to participate in the walk we're going
to talk about, because the funds that are raised through
this go towards you know, research which led to hands
only CPR, which we'll talk about, and education of how
to you know, perform it. So that's all I learned.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Let's turn to Mark since your walk chair tell us
everything we need to know about this year's walk.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Yeah, So this year's walk is on October fourth. The
event opens around eight o'clock in the morning. The walk
actually starts at ten. And the thing I think it's
really important to know is, yes, it's a walk, but
it's also more of just like this great family event.
It almost feels like a fair. There's activities for the
kids to do. There's lots of you know, opportunities to
(05:44):
learn CPR and get some practice on some of the
you know, the dummies that are there. And it's like
a whole just family event. So come out be a
part of it. Go on the walk.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Now, one thing that we should mention is it it's
a new location this year. It's going to be at
Heartwood Acres. Last year it was down at the point,
so it's a new location. So I think Heartwalk, uh,
and then Heartwood Acres Heartwood Acres Heart Walk with Heart
Association all about the Heart all about the Heart all
all day on October fourth. Now, Uh, you got to
(06:20):
think so is P and C one of the sponsors
for this.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Absolutely got a lot of several sponsors uh and a
lot of employees from lots of different organizations that are
going to be joining. And thank all of them uh
for their support. And it's a great way to come
out and also learn to live healthier lives and.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
You know, be a part of it. You know what's
great about the Heart Walk, it's a well oiled machine.
It's you get up there, you learn a little bit
about you know, hands on you know, training and things
like that, you learn CPR, you did, you know, you
get to meet old friends.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
But it goes fairly quickly, and it's you know, it's
a great event. And like you said, it's like a fair.
There's all sorts of things to see and do. They've
got you know, booze and things that you can see beforehand.
Of course, the walk is always the main event. And
if somebody wants to get more information, do you have
a website that people should should check out?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Of course if you go to www dot heart dot
org slash Pittsburgh Walk, you will find out everything that
you need to know about the event. We would love
for you to register. You can create a team if
you want and bring a whole group of your friends,
and in fact, we think that that's one of the
best ways to get involved.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Now, Dave, your first year in participation, you just told
a brief story of of you actually having a cardiac
event at the at the Heart Walk. So you were
brave enough to come the very next year.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Yeah, well, I think it was necessarily brave. I thought
I had some unfinished business, honestly, And you know, I
always knew of the American Heart Association, but I never
really you know, gave much thought to like what they
actually do. And as I said earlier, learning about how
the funds are directed, and so I wanted to participate again,
and I have just continued to do whatever since it's
an automatic for me. Now.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Now, if you want more information on the Heart Heart
Association or the Heart Walk, don't do it like Dave.
He learned it in a very very strange way of
having an event at our event. And so what did
you learn afterwards about either heart care or about the
(08:32):
Heart Association.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Well, in the things you touched on earlier, that again,
the importance of you know, checking your blood pressure, regular exercise, diet.
I mean, I'm still kind of an zoftig individual, but
you know, those things are important and I try to
do better, and that's something you're all working towards. It's
the journey, not the end. And then again that the
(08:54):
research that they do led to things like hands only CPR,
and that was something that you know didn't exist, you
know what, a decade or two ago. I think it's
kind of a relatively new technique for saving people.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Did anybody perform CPR on you? They did? Okay, they did?
Was it a number of people? Was it amts or
it was?
Speaker 3 (09:15):
Yeah. So the first individuals enough due the EMT, Jim
Fetterhoff I believe it was his name, and he started,
and then the designated paramedics Roe Bendig, Ira McIntyre, I
believe in other Jen Kruber, I think their names I'm
forgetting at the moment, unfortunately, but they all came in.
They took turns in applying CPR. Then they used of
(09:37):
the fibrillator and I got shocked twice and then I
ultimately came to and I think actually that I was
told later because your mind doesn't process what's happening.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
I was told.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
I sat up immediately, and I looked at at Ira,
who had been giving me CPR, and I said, why
are you so close to me? And I tried to
walk away and they said, no, no, no, just just stay
where you are. Had no comprehension of what had been
going on.
Speaker 1 (10:02):
And how many minutes were you unconscious?
Speaker 3 (10:06):
I don't honestly know. I think that I was attended to,
I think within three minutes, but in terms of start
to finish, I don't think I've ever really found out
how long it was. I mean, it's time is crucial.
I think I think it's within ten minutes. I think
if you're not getting any aid immediately, then your odds
are really dire. So I was fortunate that people were
nearby that knew what to do, because time is of
the essence and knowledge is important.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
And that's one of the things that in this year's
Heart Walk is one of the themes is being a
nation of life savers. So Dave was incredibly fortunate, you know,
to have his event where he did that there were
bystanders that were able to come in and take action immediately,
and that's the other thing that kind of got me
excited about being in the chair was creating this nation
of lifesavers. You if in the unfortunate event that you
(10:52):
have a cardiac arrest event, having somebody there that takes
action is the difference, you know, in life or.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Death because minutes minutes matter, Minutes.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Matter, And the sad statistic is that nine out of
ten people who have a cardiac arrest event outside of
a hospital won't survive. But by having a bystander there
to do some of that hands only CPR, that essentially
doubles your chances of survival. And if you are fortunate
enough to have an automated defibrillator, it doubles your chances again.
(11:22):
So that's why it's so important to have people that
know what to do in the time and in that moment.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
I'm reading statistics right now, nine out of ten people
who suffer cardiac arrests outside the hospital die. Dave, you
were very fortunate.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
I was. I wouldn't say blessed, but you're absolutely right.
The numbers are staggering. If I think about it, I
kind of get sad, but I really was.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
The Heart Association invites you to join the Heart Walk
to broaden your impact by turning bystanders into life savers
and Mark you mentioned the nation of life savers. Is
this something that we're going to discover us during the
heart walk And what is the message that you want
to tell people?
Speaker 3 (12:04):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (12:05):
The message really is the statistic we just talked about
is really unfortunate. And there's another one that to me
brings it home even more, which is that three out
of every four cardiac events happen in your home. So
what that really means is the person that you're getting
trained to potentially be able to take action on is
(12:28):
probably somebody that you love and probably somebody that you
live with. And so that's why want of the missions
and the things that you'll hear a lot about at
the heart Walk is we want there to be a
person that knows what to do in every household. And
it's just as straightforward as saying, because the statistics will
show that's where it's most likely to happen. And unfortunately,
(12:49):
if you don't have somebody there, your odds of survival
plummet and it takes on average an ambulance thirteen minutes
to get to your house, so that time you will
never recover from and one of the worst things that
you know, I feel like can happen is your face
of that situation and you don't know what to do.
And so that's what we want to turn around.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
You know, even when you know how to do it.
I've been taught CPR a number of times, probably a
half a dozen times, and the procedure has changed over
the last five or ten years. You had your event
at the Heart Walk in twenty eighteen, seventeen seventeen, so
that was eight years ago. Were they doing mouth to
(13:32):
mouth or were they just doing chess compared.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
They did both for me. But I guess the research
has led to the idea that you don't need it
for I think it's teens and adults. You can do
hands only for them. If you're like a child or
a drowning victim, or there are others smaller category than
they still want you to do the mouth to mouth
as well.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Yeah, I've taken a CPR class twice in the last
five years and it's just hands only, yep. And of
course everybody knows the from the from the office, you know,
the doing the compressions to the beat of staying alive,
and that's amazing that's that is so that is that
has transcended that TV show and it's important and I
(14:15):
think if I had to do it, I don't think
I would get that song out of my head.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
The earworm is amazing. It's large and there forever you'll
never forget it.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
So during the heart walk, are we discussing, you know,
hands only CPR.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Absolutely, there'll be a couple of opportunities for demonstrations. Like
as I said before, there'll be some opportunities for you to,
you know, come in and do some practice. Like anything,
practice is so important. You will remember what to do
in the moment if it ever presents itself by being prepared,
and you can't underestimate, uh, you know, just that feeling
(14:50):
and how you know hard and fast you have to
push and you know the training will kick into action.
I was a lifeguard in my younger days, and it's
amazing to me. You go through these trainings every pretty
much every year, and in the moment when you actually
see somebody in stress or in peril, your training just
(15:13):
kicks in and before you know it, you're jumping in
the water swimming after somebody. And it's kind of a
Dave's point of kind of not knowing how you got
from here to there. I can tell you many stories
of where I've gone in after somebody and you kind
of look back and you go, well, what happened to
my sunglasses?
Speaker 1 (15:27):
And you know, where's my whistle? And like you's my
water bottle? You've actually had the times where you've actually
had to save somebody in the water.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Yeah, I worked at a at a place it was
like half water park. A lot of times it was
just a kid who had wandered a little bit too
far away because it had a zero entry depth and
so the current kind of swept them a little bit
too far away. I'd love to say it was some
sort of like heroic event, but anybody was watching could
have jumped in and done it. But what I think
is interesting is you just you will do it instinctively
(15:57):
when that when that time comes, if you have the
practice and if you've trained well.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Working for PMC is a little safer, then it is
safer in a lot of ways. But there's a lot
of parallels.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
And you know some of the work I do in technology,
you know, things happen and you need to be prepared
to react, just like everything else in life.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Well, of course we have to thank PMC for being
one of the sponsors for the Heart Walk. Do you
have a list of some of the other sponsors.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
Yeah, I got a lot of great sponsors, so u
PMC has been a fantastic partner for a long time.
Cisco AEC Group ZOL has also been a fantastic sponsor. Yeah,
you don't give them what they do. Miscarrow Howard Concrete
and Pumping, Impact Consulting Solutions, Thermofiicier Scientific and Alleghany Health Network.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Certainly, we want to acknowledge the sponsors, but we also
want to thank everybody who walks and walks and participates
every year because that is the heartbeat of the Heart
Association and the Heart Walk you have. It's like a
sea of red, which is heartwarming, which is pun intended
for the Heart Walk, which is coming up on October fourth.
(17:05):
You can register now and join us on Saturday, October
fourth at Heartwood Acres. That's important a new location. You
can register online at heart dot org slash Pittsburgh Walk.
If you want more information on the Heart Association, you
can just go to heart dot org. We're talking to
walkchair Mark and Dave here. Dave who actually had an
(17:26):
event at a heartwalk eight years ago. For those just
tuning in, can you kind of fill us in on
the story again? Sure?
Speaker 3 (17:33):
So in twenty seventeen, I participated in my first hard
walk here in Pittsburgh, and I felt great that morning.
I went to the sign up tent. I remember signing
in clearly, and then the next thing I knew, I
had a recollection of being in my back on one
of the redline cars, Like, that's odd because I just
came into the red line. Why am I on my
(17:53):
back and leaving? And then I woke up an Allegheny
general I was told I was a survivor of a cardiac.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Arrest at the hard walk, which is so ironic, right,
So what kind of recovery did you have to go through?
Did you have any surgery?
Speaker 3 (18:08):
So, without going too far back, I'd been diagnosed with
aphib atro fibrillation in twenty thirteen and I was asymptomatic,
so I never knew I had anything. So my cardiologist
and I decided, well, we'll just keep an eye on it.
We'll give you, you know, some blood thinners, and then maybe
somewhere down the road will have a procedure done to
address it. So in twenty sixteen, the decision was made
(18:34):
to have an ablation procedure performed where they cauterized the
muscle behind the heart so that the electrical impulses will
be regular and you don't risk getting a clot and stroke.
So every three months for the next year, you know,
we were doing follow ups and everything seemed fine. So
literally about a month and a half before this walk,
I got reports saying it looks like the procedure was successful,
(18:56):
and so again I felt I was out of the woods.
So I was happy about that. When the flyer came
across my desk three days before the walk, three days
I said, well, let me give some money for good cause.
It's a nice, leisurely three mile walk. What harm could
this possibly do? And then all this happened and they said,
well you had vent tricular fibrillation. I'm like, excuse me.
(19:18):
And all the follow up showed I don't have any
blockages anywhere, I don't have any tears in my heart,
I have no genetic predisposition. It's medically inexplicable. So you know, again,
as we said, it's important regularly your blood pressure, watch,
which you eat, exercise, regularly things I'm still aiming to
do better.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
We all do, we all and Dave.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
One of the things that I find inspiring at the
walk is survivors have a bell to ring when they
finish their walk. So could you tell us a little
bit about like one, I hope you do it, and
two how does that make you feel?
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Well?
Speaker 3 (19:50):
It was only this past year, I think was the
first time that I did it, because it was there
and maybe I wasn't paying attention or know they just
they funneled me formally to it. I got a lot
of aggression. Ring that bell felt pretty good.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
That's not the answer, expert, all right, Mark, how would
you want him there?
Speaker 2 (20:09):
I was thinking, you know, so greatly inspired, you know,
by everything that's going on. But look, I I you know,
having been through that, and I'm sure there was a
lot of aggression, so it probably is is an honest
and appropriate answer.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
So I appreciate that.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
Well.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
Heart disease touches every family. There's nobody that has been
that has not been touched by some sort of you know,
heart disease because it's the number one killer in America,
and it's that important that the Heart Association puts on
this Heart Walk to not only raise funds for research
and everything they do, but also educate the people and
(20:45):
what some of the things that we ought to do.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
You know.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
For example, I learned a lot just by talking to
the heartstics to really check my my blood pressure, and
it really has made a huge difference. I every day,
every day, I check out my blood pressure and if
it's a little high, I need to, you know, probably
watch my diet. Maybe I need to work out a
little bit more, and I have. I have worked out
(21:11):
consistently since having that opportunity to talk to the Heart Association,
So I can I can vouch for myself that it
has made a difference. And I'm sure Dave it's made
a difference in your life too.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
Absolutely. Oh yeah, And just to follow up, I don't
want to make it sound like I only had aggression.
I mean, there are a lot of people that are
cheering you on as you come approach, like the finish
line for those that are survivors. So I was like,
I was overwhelmed by emotion before I rang the bell,
and then I let the aggression out. But yeah, so
it's it's yeah, it's.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
Karen just showed me a picture of you ringing the bell.
I don't know if there's aggression. It looks like looks
like a very happy Dave. I was pretty happy overall. Yeah,
it's so great. You're really the poster boy of the
Heart Walk, aren't you. Since you've gone through.
Speaker 3 (21:58):
I have the face for radio though, so but yeah,
in a way, I'm happy to share the story whenever
I'm asked, you know, I want to get the word
out to people because the circumstance is so unusual. I
don't think a Hollywood screenwriter could honestly come up with this.
But I want people to learn how to perform hands
only CPR. I want them to participate in the walk
because it's a fun time and to contribute so the
(22:19):
funds can go towards research, which again, you know, that
takes a full circle with more research and more education.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
And Dave has been so great at giving up his
time and telling the story not only across PNC, but
he's done at least two or three other events with
me about the heart Walk, and that's sort of what
I love. And that's kind of why I was asking
him about ringing the bell is he's clearly looking to
not just give back, you know, time by coming to
the Heart Walk, but by trying to get more people
(22:45):
excited about it. And one of the things that I
just think is so fantastic for Pittsburgh because we have
some great universities here.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
Every dollar that's raised.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
By the American Heart Association in Pittsburgh, three dollars and
twenty five cents comes back into the Pittsburgh economy because
of what is done here in Pittsburgh. There's not a
whole lot of not for profit and charitable donations that
you can make that have a three x impact on
the community that you live in. So it's such a
(23:13):
unique thing for Pittsburgh. It also got me really excited
about this opportunity and again about making you know Pittsburgh
better and in more ways than just you know, your
heart health. It's good for the it's good for the community.
Speaker 1 (23:25):
All right. So the Heart Walk is coming up on
October fourth. Since you're the walk chair, tell us everything
we need to know about this this year's event.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Yeah, it's going to be at Heartwood Acres. Fantastic event.
The event opens at eight, The walk actually starts around
ten o'clock. It's such a family friendly event. Bring your dogs,
there's activity for you.
Speaker 1 (23:44):
My favorite part, I'm not gonna lie. I see you know,
like there's so many dogs. My god. Look, I've never
met a dog I didn't want to pet.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
And I've got two Yorkies. They're a little you know,
they get a little crazy at times. I'm going to
maybe try to bring them. But nobody can make fun
of me if my dogs happened to be in a stroller.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
I love them to death. And it's and it's weird.
It's always weird to see a big guy, you know
with little dogs. But you know that's just the way
the category. They're the best dogs. They're they're they've got
big personalities in that little teeny body. But that, yeah,
that's what I love. But you know, I love dogs too.
Want to see you know, all of them out there.
They get you walking if nothing else. You know, they're
they're good. They're good for your health and obviously you're
(24:24):
there to you know, kind of take care of them.
But uh, you know, come out, bring the family. Uh
there's balloon, you know, animals for the kids, face painting.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
So while we talk about it in terms of a walk, uh,
it really is more just a fun event. With your
friends and family and uh for a really good cause.
So you can come out join us in the morning,
you know by the afternoon. We know Saturdays are are busy,
especially in the fall, but what a great way to
start your day and then have this kind of impact
on the community and and then go out and enjoy
(24:55):
the great community.
Speaker 1 (24:55):
The Pittsburgh is new location this year, Heartwood Acres. Apparently
the UH there's going to be some construction at Points
State Park, so they've had to move it to Heartwood Acres.
But I think it makes sense Heartwood Acres with the
Heart Association, it makes all the sense in the world.
If you'd like to get more information or if you'd
like to join join us, go to heart heart dot
(25:17):
org slash Pittsburgh Walk. That's heart dot org slash Pittsburgh Walk.
But in addition to the walk and it's a fair event.
What are some of the things that that that's going
to be featured at this year's walk.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Yeah, one of the things that's featured is just our
Nation of Life savers, demonstrations of hands only CPR and
of course you will be there, yes, which is going
to be It was always very exciting.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
John Hartwell at the Heart Walk and the Heart Association.
Of course I'm going to participate. I almost have to,
don't I exactly.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
The other thing we haven't spoken much about is the
mobile app, so you know when you go and you register.
The other great resource that you get access to is
a mobile app. I'm on it probably about every day,
probably more for my role as the chair, but there's
a lot of great things in there, like you can
learn hands only CPR right there in the app, so
(26:13):
you can kind of do that visually then come to
the event and get some practice. The other really important
thing that we've talked about a little bit is just
living well and your overall health. It's another great thing
that's going to be out there as some free health screenings.
So if you're not sure you want to get an
idea on things like your blood pressure, come on out
(26:34):
and those things will be available.
Speaker 1 (26:36):
October fourth, Heartwood Acres. Get more info at heart dot org,
slash Pittsburgh Walks. As the walk chair, what are some
of the things that you want to accomplish. What was
the reason why you wanted to participate as walkchair.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Yeah, my biggest reason was some of the statistics we
talked about earlier, just the odds that you might have
to do this on somebody that you like of either
at home or at the office. That's really meaningful to
me because I don't ever want to be in a
position where you know, something happens and I'm not able
to take action, and really doing that across an entire
(27:12):
community and trying to get to having one person in
every household that knows how to do that is really
important to me.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
Dave, Other than you know, being the poster boy of
somebody who've had a cardiac arrest at a heart walk,
what is the message that you want to present.
Speaker 3 (27:32):
Like it's Marcus said it, like every one person in
every household to learn how to do hands only CPR.
If that happened, that would be fantastic.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
And it's pretty simple. It's simple. It's you know, the mouth.
The mouth is something that they don't do anymore. It's
as far as you know, young adults and adults, and
it's that it's just learning how to do it and
letting that training set in. And so when you're faced
with that situation, remember muscle memory. Yeah, minutes do matter,
all right, we only have about a minute left, so
let's cover the basics. The Heart Walk is coming up
(28:02):
on October fourth, Heartwood Acres. That's a Saturday morning. You
can participate by going to heart dot org slash Pittsburgh Walk.
You got the walk the hands hands only CPR Nation
of Life Savers. So if you haven't signed up, please do.
Let's mention the sponsors very quickly. Of course, P and C.
Since you guys both represent that company.
Speaker 2 (28:23):
Do you bet upmc zol, Mescaro, AEC Group, Cisco. There's
a lot of other companies that I didn't get a
chance to mention whose employees are participating. So we just
thank all of those people who are doing everything they
can to make Pittsburgh great.
Speaker 1 (28:37):
And of course those participants are the lifeblood of the
Heart Walk. So please join today at heart dot org
slash Pittsburgh Walk. Mark and Dave, thank you so much
for your time. I'll see you on October fourth, looking
forward to it. Thanks, can't wait to see you there.
Thanks for the time. As always, If you have any comments, concerns,
or an idea for a future program, please email us
from this radio station's website. I'm Johnny Heartwell, thank you
(28:58):
so much for listening.
Speaker 4 (29:12):
Hi, I'm Ryan Blaney, a third generation race car driver,
and we dedicate a lot of our time to going
as fast as possible. My Grandpa Lohu is the reason
why my dad and I started racing, and I'm really
proud to follow on his tracks. But when my grandpa
was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, it was a very unexpected bump
in the road for us. I've learned a lot on
this journey with my Grandpa Lou and the memories of
my grandpa will always be with me. It's important to
(29:33):
notice if older family members are acting differently, experiencing problems
with their memory, or having trouble with routine tasks. Talking
about Alzheimer's can be really tough, but if you notice something,
have a conversation with your level, encourage them to see
a doctor or offer to go with them. Early detection
of Alzheimer's can give your family time to explore support services,
make a plan for the future, and access available treatments.
(29:53):
The Alzheimer's Association provides care, support and research to help
you take control of the situation with your family and
manage the disease together. If you or your family are
noticing changes, it could be Alzheimer's talk about seeing a
doctor together. Visit alz dot org slash time to talk.
A message from the Alzheimer's Association and the AD Counsel
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