Heart Walking in West Palm Beach

Crystal Herrera, wearing the tutu she made in University of Florida colors,
created the Heart Walk team in memory of her husband, Jorge, a proud UF grad. 

When my friend, Crystal Herrera, said she wanted to field another Heart Walk team, I had to be there.

Her husband died nearly 2.5 years ago, cradling their 13-month-old daughter Isabella in his arms. Jorge was just 29. He never met the son Crystal was carrying.

He didn't have a heart condition, nor any risk factors for heart disease. Even so, he died from sudden cardiac death, the largest cause of natural deaths in the U.S. It's not the same as a heart attack, which is more of a plumbing problem, clots clog arteries. In sudden cardiac death, the heart's electrical system malfunctions, making the heart beat so fast that the person loses consciousness. Death usually follows unless treatment is given quickly.

The Herreras -- daughter Isabella, 3; son Matthew, 2; and
mom Crystal -- wait for rest of the team to gather. 

About 25 people walked on our team, some pushing strollers with babies and toddlers riding inside.

Ada Herrera, Jorge's mom who lives in Miami, pushes
the stroller containing grandchildren Isabella and Matthew.

Two younger teammates rode their scooters up Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. On Saturday, the team raised $1,255 for the American Heart Association.

This boy on our team rode his scooter up Flagler Drive.

Our youngest team member was 4-month-old Audrina Iovita.

Erin Iovita dotes on daughter Audrina who is wearing
her first tutu, in Gator colors.

When the sun was out, it was powerfully strong. Near Good Samaritan Medical Center, there was respite in the form of a fire-truck with a hose that was sprinkling water on anyone who ventured into its range.

Crystal's friend, Mike, stops to take pictures of his daughter Paige,
Crystal's daughter Isabella and Mike's younger daughter Jackie running
through the sprinkler. Jackie would end up getting soaked!

Just minutes later, Mike hoisted his older daughter Paige up onto his shoulders.

Isabella loses her walking buddy -- momentarily.

We stopped a few times to take pictures of each other.

Crystal Herrera poses with her mom Angela Ward.

It took us nearly an hour to walk the 5K distance. After it was over, we headed back to the Meyer Amphitheater grounds to release the balloons.

From left to right: Paige and Mike in the back row; Matthew, Isabella
and Crystal in the front row.

As the balloon soar up into the sky, we wonder aloud
what residents in the nearby building think
when they see balloons floating past their windows.

Upcoming event

The Zoe Loren Make a Difference Foundation will have its 3rd annual Walk/Run/Roll 5K on Sunday, Nov. 10, in Jupiter's Carlin Park. 

The special event honors the memory of Zoe Loren, a Suncoast High School junior who died after a brief illness. The money raised will go to educational scholarships, local soup kitchens and no-kill animal shelters, says her mom, Evonn Loren.

Pre-registration is $25, race day registration is $30 and will take place from 6 to 7 a.m. in Carlin Park. Registration forms are available here and at Tri-Running Sports, 13975 U.S. 1, Juno Beach. The 100-yard dash, for ages 7 and under, costs $10 and $15 on the race day.

Hope to see you there!

And now, for my numbers

I had my best walking day last week on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, when I walked:

Steps: 19,176

Miles: 9.6