In 2005, Gail Lewis had triple bypass surgery.

Since 2006, she香蕉视频直播檚 been walking in the annual national walk for cardiac health, which took place at Kinsmen Fieldhouse Saturday morning in Kelowna.

The Walk of Life is an annual fundraiser held by the Central Okanagan Association of Cardiac Health (COACH), as part of the Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada.

Participants of all ages warmed up their muscles before heading out on a 1.6-kilometre walk along the Mission Park Greenway.

The walk is the nonprofit organization香蕉视频直播檚 biggest fundraiser and this year is the 15th event in Kelowna.

The COACH program aims to provide education and exercise strategies to lower the participant香蕉视频直播檚 risk of developing heart disease.

Lewis went through the program after her surgery.

香蕉视频直播淭he COACH program has been absolutely phenomenal. It香蕉视频直播檚 helping others prosper. Once you香蕉视频直播檝e had surgery it can be so overwhelming,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淚 couldn香蕉视频直播檛 afford to go through it, so the COACH money raised this way will help someone like me go through the program.香蕉视频直播�

The walk brought out a lot of smiling residents.

香蕉视频直播淓veryone香蕉视频直播檚 so enthused by it, so many of them have had heart troubles,香蕉视频直播� said Lewis.

Through her walks, Lewis has raised approximately $30,000 on her own after being inspired by the program.

The event sees between 100 to 200 people each year who are typically alumni of the program and their families, said lead organizer Jennifer Taylor.

Walking is a big part of cardiac rehabilitation, 香蕉视频直播渁nything to get your heart pumping,香蕉视频直播� said Taylor.

香蕉视频直播淚 think that rehab is just so important. We know that people who attend cardiac rehab have a lower rate of remission into the hospital, so it香蕉视频直播檚 actually a cost saving thing,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 good to draw attention to the fact this program exists.香蕉视频直播�

She expects to raise around $35,000 from the event.

carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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