2024 Broward Heart Walk kicks off to raise money, awareness for heart conditions plaguing community
DAVIE — It's not a "one size fits all": Cardiovascular disease impacts millions, and that's why these people walk.
"I brought my camera to record one of my students and I collapsed," said survivor Bobby Impaglia.
Impaglia went into cardiac arrest while teaching.
"And, within eight minutes, I died once — and then I died again," he continued.
It was the people who performed CPR on him that brought him back to life — and changed it forever.
Tarrea Smith has a similar story. She was taken to the hospital after her husband noticed the signs of a stroke. However, when she got there, doctors found something else.
"Both my lungs were filled with blood clots," she said.
That's why Impaglia and Smith walk: the thousands who showed up to the Broward Heart Walk 2024 each have their own reasons. All of them gathered at Nova Southeastern University on Sunday for the fundraiser, which raised over $1 million for the American Heart Association.
David Wagner with Florida Blue is the chair for this year's event. He's seen firsthand the impact of what this money does after living through his father's stroke.
"I got to go through the system and the rehab with him," he said. "And then, I got to bring him home. So, I know this money and this walk and this cause is all for a great, great cause."
This walk serves as a lesson: By just taking a step, you're helping build a healthy heart.
"We're going to educate them on how simply walking reduces the risk of heart disease," said Rita Case, the president and CEO of the Rick Case Automotive Group.
And those here are encouraging you to learn more, too.
"The life you save in the future may very well be your own..." Impaglia said. "I've learned that a healthy heart is our treasure."
CBS News Miami's Chelsea Jones had the honor to serve as a co-emcee for this year's event.
There were tons of vendors and sponsors, but there were also lifesaving skills being taught such as CPR, and how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator) — just in case you have ever had to need it.