14-04-2025
WFXR honors lost coworker at Lynchburg Heart Walk
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Hundreds gathered in Lynchburg Saturday morning for the Lynchburg Heart Walk, which benefits the American Heart Association through fundraising and awareness.
'Heart disease and stroke affect all of us in different ways,' said cardiologist and Lynchburg Heart Walk co-chair Justin Klein. 'They're the number one killers of people in America today and around the world. The research is so important moving forward.'
The walk serves as an opportunity for folks to honor loved ones they have lost to heart disease, and for survivors to take the stroll themselves.
Friends Peggy Davis and Mary Ellen Bryant were two of the dozens of survivors at the event, and walked three miles together.
'We go to rehab together, so we are just teammates now,' said Davis. 'We are just happy to be alive.'
Every age group was represented among the survivors, including six-month-old Emma Poole, who was born with a serious heart murmur.
'As second-time parents, we were freaking out,' said her father, Alex Poole. 'We had no clue what was going on.'
Sights from Lynchburg Heart Walk
After spending the first five days of life in the hospital, Emma Poole had surgery to operate on a heart valve that was not working properly about a month after she was born.
Five months later, her family formed 'Emma's Team,' and walked in support of her battle.
'It means a lot to all of us,' said Alex Poole, pointing out that his father-in-law, Mark, is also a survivor. 'All of us can come out here and support Emma and Mark for the struggles they've gone through.'
Serving as the media sponsor of the Heart Walk, the event is always significant for the WFXR team.
However, WFXR formed a team of its own at this year's walk, moving in honor of our friend and colleague Gary Boyer, who passed away of heart complications last summer.
'Gary meant so much to us here at the station,' said WFXR sports director Jermaine Ferrell, one member of 'Boyer's Brigade,' who walked a mile Saturday morning in honor of Boyer. 'When we lost him, we lost a valued part of our team.'
'So, to be out here today supporting him, the survivors, the volunteers, everyone with this Lynchburg Heart Walk is so special. It is an honor and a privilege to be here. I'm glad to be a part of it and our station is as well.'
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