By Carol Radin
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Denise McGraw and Kristin Thompson truly put their hearts into their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As co-directors of the Syracuse American Heart Association\u2019s Heart Walk, they have been giving their all to a one-day event that is really the culmination of 365 days of preparation and collaboration with community leaders and health professionals. Denise and Kristin do it because they know that the success of every year\u2019s Heart Walk is driven by the Heart Association\u2019s mission, to be \u201ca relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen you lead with a mission, and you lead with a connection to folks, you achieve,\u201d Kristin said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Denise and Kristin know the statistics for cardiovascular risks. Heart disease is still the No. 1 killer among Americans, and stroke is No. 5, which means that \u201chealth messaging,\u201d as Denise terms it, is essential to get the word out about exercise, diet and wellness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With that in mind, she and Kristin generate sponsorships and community interest for programs beyond the Health Walk to promote healthy lifestyles to various populations. These events include \u201cHard Hats with Heart,\u201d sponsored by IBEW local 43 for workers in the construction, electrical and engineering industries, and \u201cExecutive Wellness Summit,\u201d sponsored by Key Bank for business executives. The two of them poke into every corner of lifestyle, advocating with other non-profit organizations to offer more movement-based toys during holiday toy drives; actively supporting legislation passed by Onondaga County to raise the age at which youth can buy cigarettes from 18 to 21, and printing advice on diet, exercise, and stress reduction to young and old alike, like the practical tip to look for the \u201cheart\u201d symbol on soup cans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another program called \u201cLoving Myself, Loving My Sisters\u201d focuses on support for African-American women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe risks of getting those diseases are even higher for African-Americans,\u201d Kristin said. For her, it\u2019s also personal. \u201cAs an African-American, I look at myself, I look at my family.\u201d At home, she suggests new ways of cooking to her grandparents and new opportunities for exercise to her family and friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Denise, too, has a personal commitment to cardiovascular wellness. Seven years ago, she was on vacation with her family when she felt an unusual neck pain and headache. It was not due to bouncing on amusement rides and water slides, as she had thought \u2014 at age 47, she was having a stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy purpose in life changed that day,\u201d she said. \u201cI was meant to use my voice to help others through education, understanding and awareness.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2013, Denise was the Passion Speaker for the 2013 Go Red Luncheon, sharing her story with over 500 attendees. Not long after, she interviewed for the Heart Walk director position, bringing to it her prior experience in health entrepreneurship, non-profit organizations ARISE and Vera House, and her own traumatic wake-up call. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A year later, Kristin joined her as co-director. Though Kristin\u2019s degree was in international business and world trade, she had decided to stay local, so she and Denise had seen each other in action when Kristin was the community events coordinator at SUNY Upstate. Even as a teenager, Kristin participated in Heart Walks with her mom, and went on to coordinate the Heart Walk teams for Upstate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both women are animated and energized when they talk about their goals, and they appear to function in a kind of symbiosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe learn from each other,\u201d Denise said. \u201cWe value each other. We respect each other.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s like extended family now!\u201d Kristin affirmed of Denise. \u201cShe\u2019s a survivor. I care about her.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Denise and Kristin set a similar tone within the association, as they work side by side with this year\u2019s Heart Walk Chair, Leslie Paul Luke, president and CEO of St. Joseph\u2019s Health. Denise also speaks warmly of the many volunteers who \u201cmake our work possible.\u201d On March 23, over 3000 participants, hundreds of volunteers, committed corporate sponsors and public officials will turn out for the Heart Walk. For Denise and Kristin, it\u2019s one day when they\u2019re putting their best practice to work: \u201cWe\u2019re better together.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
SIDEBAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heart Walk Event Information<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When: Saturday, March 23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where: SRC Arena and Events Center, 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Registration and Healthy Activities: 8:00 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opening Ceremony 9 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5K Walk starts 10 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Closing Ceremony 11:45 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For pre-registration and more information, see heart.org.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Carol Radin Denise McGraw and Kristin Thompson truly put their hearts into their work. As co-directors of the Syracuse American Heart Association\u2019s Heart Walk, they have been giving their all to a one-day event that is really the culmination of 365 days of preparation and collaboration with community leaders and health professionals. Denise and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2246,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[99,101,126],"tags":[531,747,756,157],"class_list":["post-2245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-features","category-health","tag-american-heart-association","tag-go-red-for-women","tag-heart-walk","tag-inspire"],"gutentor_comment":0,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/002_SWM_AHA_Denise_Kristin_Jan2019_HiREZ.jpg?fit=4173%2C5400&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3491,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=3491","url_meta":{"origin":2245,"position":0},"title":"Inspire: Brittany Taylor – Making a community-wide impact on heart health","author":"Alyssa Dearborn","date":"February 8, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"By Alyssa Dearborn After joining the American Heart Association nearly one year ago as the organization\u2019s community impact director, Brittany Taylor has been able to make a difference in the lives of Central New Yorkers while seeing the Association\u2019s impact firsthand.\u00a0 \u201cAs the community impact director, I work with both\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Inspire"","block_context":{"text":"Inspire","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=1143"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Image-14-scaled.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Image-14-scaled.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Image-14-scaled.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Image-14-scaled.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2983,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2983","url_meta":{"origin":2245,"position":1},"title":"A lesson learned – After nearly losing her life, Kristin Rubino becomes tireless advocate for heart health education","author":"Staff","date":"February 16, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"By Emma Vallelunga\u00a0 SYRACUSE \u2013 If Kristin Rubino didn\u2019t listen to her heart, she would not be alive today. 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