After six major surgeries on a congenital heart defect, Jade Wrenn definitely qualifies as a survivor.
Events like Saturday's Heart Walk at the Greenwood Leflore Hospital have kept her alive these past 14 years. "It makes me feel happy to see these people," the Carrollton native said.
More than $27,000 has been raised through donations and other sources.
Many of the more than 100 participants in Saturday's heart walk raised the money through teams.
"We still expect more money coming in on Monday," said Gay Smith, regional director of the Mississippi Delta Heart Association, which hosted the event.
The money goes to the American Heart Association to fund research. During the past 35 years, that research has resulted in bypass surgery, pacemakers and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
It will also make future research possible by people like Jade, who hopes to become a pediatric cardiologist.
Saturday's walkers gave to a a variety of motivations for participating.
Susie Bell, who walked with the Golden Age Nursing Home team, is taking advantage of a second chance. Four years ago, she had a tumor on her ankle, and couldn't walk.
Now that she is mobile again, "I realize what a special gift it is to walk," Bell said.
Bell, of Greenwood, put that gift to good use Saturday morning by completing more than three miles on the walking track.
Robert and Tabatha Sandford of Greenwood brought their children Robert Jr., 15 months, and Alex, 3, to participate in the experience. "This is a good cause," Robert said.
Helen Tharpe had never heard of the Heart Walk four years ago. But that changed when she was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
She learned about the Heart Walk during her treatments at the Greenwood Wellness Center. Now she leads the walk as a survivor.
"It feels great to be alive," Tharpe said.
