Walkers unite in the North Country to build a community of lifesavers
Apr 14, 2025 11:10AM ● By Kenzie Shiver
WATERTOWN, NY, April 12, 2025 — Hundreds of people gathered at the North Country Heart Walk Saturday at Jefferson Community College, raising more than $125,000 to further the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission. Nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital don’t survive — a sobering statistic that underscores the Heart Walk’s urgent call to action: fundraise, learn CPR and take action to save lives.
In addition to raising critical funds, the North Country Heart Walk brought together heart disease and stroke survivors, as well as participants from dozens of local companies, to unite in the mission to save lives. Every walker who joined the Heart Walk, every dollar donated, means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone. Donations can be made until May 12th at www.NorthCountryHeartWalk.org.
“The Heart Walk is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together,” said Rich Duvall, president and CEO of North Star Health Alliance and volunteer chairman of the Heart Walk. “By supporting this year-round initiative, we’re not just raising funds—we’re equipping more people with lifesaving skills and making the North Country a stronger, healthier place. Our vision is for every home to be prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency, and we’re grateful to everyone who helped us take a big step toward that goal.”
During the event, the American Heart Association also presented Heartsaver Hero Awards to a group of employees from Kinney Drugs. When their coworker Darcy Kerr collapsed at the Gouverneur store a few weeks ago, employees took action to save her life. They called 911 and worked together to provide compressions, give breaths and talk with dispatchers. When EMTs arrived, they took over compressions and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to shock Kerr’s heart back into rhythm after several tries. She is recovering well and was able to attend the Heart Walk on Saturday.
The Heartsaver Hero Award was presented to Dan Ragan, Brandi Romano and Becky Toomey.
The North Country Heart Walk is sponsored by Kinney Drugs Foundation, North Star Health Alliance, Samaritan Health, Knowlton Technologies, AmeriCU Credit Union, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Watertown Wealth Management and more, as well as media sponsors 7 News, Community Broadcasters and Watertown Daily Times.
