Team Upstate steps out in 2014 Heart Walk March 22

Team Upstate will represent Upstate Medical University at the 2014 American Heart Association Heart Walk on Saturday, March 22 at Onondaga Community College. The 0.3 mile, non-competitive walk will also offer a run to benefit the American Heart Association’s fight against heart disease and stroke.

Upstate is the top team for the Syracuse walk this year, and it has been one of the top overall fundraising teams for the event since 2007.

As of March 18, Team Upstate had generated more than $28,000 in donations from a team of 550 participants. Upstate’s cardiovascular research program has also received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Heart Walk and its past fundraising events.

A significant portion of Team Upstate donations came from Upstate University Hospital’s Community Campus, where two individuals have made it their mission to raise both donations for the event and awareness about its cause.

Administrative Assistant Beth Sellers and Marian Thompson, R.N., are 2014 Heart Walk Team Leaders for Team Upstate. Their combined efforts have yielded more than $4,000 to date from more than 80 recruited participants.

Sellers has been a team leader for three years, and has already more than surpassed her previous fundraising total of $850, raising $2,100 to date.

“It’s my goal each year to talk to as many people on campus as possible about the Heart Walk,” said Sellers. “This year’s team is really made of people committed to the Heart Walk’s mission, and I am so proud to participate with them in this annual event.”

Thompson has been involved with the Heart Walk for four years, and has been a team leader for the past two years. Her mother was a victim of heart disease, and participates in the walk in her memory.

“It’s truly a team effort,” said Thompson. “I am honored to be captain of such an awesome group of individuals.”

Both Sellers and Thompson garnered their support for the walk in just a few weeks, and noted that the majority of support comes from within Upstate.

“Most all of my team is from Upstate,” said Thompson. “ The majority of the outside members are the family of the staff.”

The Community Campus is hosting five teams for this year’s walk. The additional team leaders are Michelle Strom, Lisa Vigliotti-Bane and Allison Peacock. Together, they have helped raised close to $5,000 from more than 100 participants.