Heart Walk steps off on Rehoboth Boardwalk

With funds still being collected, the 2021 Southern Delaware American Heart Association Walk topped its goal, raising nearly $150,000. Hundreds of walkers turned out Nov. 21 to walk the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk to bolster the organization’s support, screening and research efforts.

Bayhealth, raising more than $25,000, and Beebe Healthcare, with more than $22,000, were the top two teams and also the primary sponsors. Beebe Healthcare President and CEO Dr. David Tam chaired this year’s event. Other top teams included ES Community Teams of Southern Delaware, more than $7,000; Delmarva Power, more than $5,300; and NRG Energy, more than $2,000.

The top individual walker was Joyce Prater of ES Community Teams, who raised more than $3,500. As a member of Team Bob, she walks in memory of her late husband.

Walkers were motivated by the amazing story of 4-year-old Easton Ross Falgowski, who was born at Beebe with transposition of the great heart arteries. His mother, Michelle Schaffer, a member of the Beebe staff, said the caring, dedicated nurses and doctors kept her son alive before he was transported to A.I. duPont Children’s Hospital. He had five surgeries in the first eight months of his life.