DAYTONA BEACH − Despite the threat of rain, the American Heart Association’s 2025 Volusia-Flagler Heart Walk at Daytona International Speedway drew a record turnout Friday evening, Oct. 3.
“The American Heart Association is estimating 1,200 walkers, which is a big jump from last year’s 800,” said Joni Hunt, the event’s co-chair, along with Lorenzo Brown, regional president and CEO for AdventHealth’s East Florida division. Hunt is the hospital system’s vice president of strategic partnerships and foundations.
“We’ve got a great crowd, it’s a beautiful night, and we’re happy to be at Daytona International Speedway,” she said.
What was the Heart Walk about?
Participants from both Volusia and Flagler counties walked the Speedway’s iconic 2.5-mile tri-oval racetrack to raise public awareness about the importance of heart health and to raise donations to support the American Heart Association’s life-saving programs.
The event also included a demonstration given by Max Kirichenko, a respiratory equipment technician for AdventHealth in Palm Coast, on how to administer CPR, a tribute area where participants were invited to write the name of loved ones who are cardiovascular disease survivors or who passed away from it, a CPR tent where participants could practice CPR techniques, and a physical fitness warm-up session for the entire crowd led by Candy Peterson of Port Orange Fit Body Boot Camp.
Arianna Pollack led the singing of the National Anthem to kick off the event.
How much money did the event raise?
According to Kelley Harrell, the American Heart Association’s development director for Volusia, Flagler and Brevard counties, this year’s Volusia-Flagler Heart Walk has raised $183,931 in donations so far as of Saturday morning. “Fundraising continues through the end of November,” she added.
For many, the fight to end heart disease is personal
Leslye Gale, co-host of the “Chad & Leslye Morning Show” on the radio station Magic 107.7 FM, served as the master of ceremonies for this year’s Heart Walk. “We each have different reasons for why we walk, but together we are united to take action and save lives,” she told the crowd. “Every walker who joins, every dollar donated, means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone.”
Port Orange’s Michael Mastantuono, branch manager of the New Smyrna Beach location for Fairwinds Credit Union, took part in the Heart Walk for the second year in a row.
“My daughter had a heart transplant two years ago. She’s thriving and doing great now,” he told the crowd. “Last year, we lost my father to systolic heart failure, so it runs very deep in our family.”
Brown told the gathering, “Many of my family members have actually struggled with cardiovascular disease. Not only that, a number of people in our community also struggle with cardiovascular disease. I know we’re going to increase awareness, we’re going to increase education, so more lives can be saved.”
How you can help
To make a donation or for more information, visit the American Heart Association’s website at www2.heart.org or call 1-800-AHA-USA-1 (242-8721).
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Record crowd turns out for the 2025 Volusia-Flagler Heart Walk at Daytona Speedway
Reporting by Clayton Park, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
