HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — More than 1,900 participants signed up for the Hampton Roads Heart Walks.
The Saturday morning Peninsula Heart walk is the first of two walks, followed by the Southside Heart Walk on Nov. 11 at 24th Street Park at the Oceanfront.
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Abby Larsen, Heart Walk Youth Ambassador, cut the ribbon ahead of the Peninsula Heart Walk at Fort Monroe.
“It makes me feel good like many people care about heart defects,” said Larsen.
The 10-year-old shared some of her story with the crowd of supporters.
“When AHA reached out looking for youth ambassadors, I off handedly asked her if she might like to do it. She was super enthusiastic! I was very proud of her. She’s been gung-ho every step of the way, wanting to volunteer for everything they offer up for her to do and help in any way that she can. Kind of taking ownership of her own story at this point,” said her mom, Cindy Larsen. “She’s had two open heart surgeries when she was a baby, but she doesn’t have any restrictions or anything like that and she’s living a heart healthy life.”