Detroit Lakes Heart Walk raises more than $18,000 for heart disease research

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – Walkers started at the Pavilion in Detroit Lakes and then participated in an American Heart Association Heart Walk on Thursday evening.

The event was geared toward raising money for research into preventing strokes, correcting heart defects in newborns and eventually finding a cure for high blood pressure, according to the organization’s website.

The walk was also focused on raising awareness to living healthier lifestyles and promoting the stories of those who have survived a stroke or various forms of heart disease.

Scott Derke was this year’s Detroit Lakes Heart Walk ambassador. Derke suffered a severe heart attack two years ago and credits the advancements in heart-related health and a fantastic medical staff to saving his life.

“It’s all because of the doctors and nurses, and the staff was wonderful” said Derke. “I wasn’t in the hospital that long, four days, that was it. And I wasn’t supposed to be here at all. I just think it’s amazing what these people can do. They are constantly changing what they can do with this money to find something new. Next year, they’ll probably have something they can stick in my ear and I wouldn’t have had to go to the hospital, I don’t know.”

Unfortunately, Derke was unable to participate in the walk this year due to recently being diagnosed with cancer, but that didn’t stop him from praising the individuals walking for him and other survivors with heart-related diseases.

“At my house, we don’t do anything small, last year I was diagnosed with cancer,” he said. “And we’re battling through that right now on top of everything else. So I really appreciate that you guys are doing the walking, I’m just going to have to pass this year. Maybe next year I’ll get in with somebody, but I appreciate you guys doing everything. And I see there’s a bunch of other survivors out here and it’s a journey.”

According to the Detroit Lakes Heart Walk event page, more than $18,500 has been raised during this year’s event. If you would like to make a donation to the Detroit Lakes Heart Walk, information can be found in the news story on our station’s website.