In 2005, Gail Lewis had triple bypass surgery.

Since 2006, she害羞草研究所檚 been walking in the annual national walk for cardiac health, which took place at Kinsmen Fieldhouse Saturday morning in Kelowna.

The Walk of Life is an annual fundraiser held by the Central Okanagan Association of Cardiac Health (COACH), as part of the Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada.

Participants of all ages warmed up their muscles before heading out on a 1.6-kilometre walk along the Mission Park Greenway.

The walk is the nonprofit organization害羞草研究所檚 biggest fundraiser and this year is the 15th event in Kelowna.

The COACH program aims to provide education and exercise strategies to lower the participant害羞草研究所檚 risk of developing heart disease.

Lewis went through the program after her surgery.

害羞草研究所淭he COACH program has been absolutely phenomenal. It害羞草研究所檚 helping others prosper. Once you害羞草研究所檝e had surgery it can be so overwhelming,害羞草研究所� she said.

害羞草研究所淚 couldn害羞草研究所檛 afford to go through it, so the COACH money raised this way will help someone like me go through the program.害羞草研究所�

The walk brought out a lot of smiling residents.

害羞草研究所淓veryone害羞草研究所檚 so enthused by it, so many of them have had heart troubles,害羞草研究所� said Lewis.

Through her walks, Lewis has raised approximately $30,000 on her own after being inspired by the program.

The event sees between 100 to 200 people each year who are typically alumni of the program and their families, said lead organizer Jennifer Taylor.

Walking is a big part of cardiac rehabilitation, 害羞草研究所渁nything to get your heart pumping,害羞草研究所� said Taylor.

害羞草研究所淚 think that rehab is just so important. We know that people who attend cardiac rehab have a lower rate of remission into the hospital, so it害羞草研究所檚 actually a cost saving thing,害羞草研究所� she said.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 good to draw attention to the fact this program exists.害羞草研究所�

She expects to raise around $35,000 from the event.

carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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