By Ron Walker | 17 Mar 2017

Predist "Ron" Walker, Jupiter

I finished my running career, went into the Army for two years, and then joined my local Police Department in Newport News, Virginia where I became a member of the SWAT Team and a Field Training Officer.

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One morning as I was running, I began coughing non-stop and ended up in the hospital with the diagnosis of an enlarged heart (dilated cardio myopathy). The doctors informed me that I was in need of a heart transplant. Despite my uncertain future, I stayed optimistic as I awaited a transplant.

On October 1, 1988 I received my new heart at the Medical College of Virginia with a promise to my family and doctors that I would keep this heart healthy which I did for 20 years.

In 1997 my family and I moved to Florida, and I jumped back into law enforcement, as a Criminal Investigator for the Public Defender's Office. I still wanted to give back after such life changing circumstances, so I did my first Heart Walk in 1999 in West Palm Beach. Seeing the wealth of information and other survivors of heart disease made such an impact on me that I became a spokesperson for five of the 15 years I participated in the walks, talking to the public about heart disease and stroke.

Once again I became stricken with heart disease. Fortunately, on Easter Sunday - 2008, I received my second heart transplant and another chance at life.

Ron is a You're the Cure advocate who served on our 2016-2017 Florida Advocacy Committee.

"I live smarter and a little wiser with the understanding that life is short, live it to the fullest".

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Advocate State - FL

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For good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, I hereby grant to the American Heart Association (“AHA”) and its successors and anyone authorized by it the following unrestricted rights and release, all of which may be exercised without geographical, time or other limitation: In regards to the submission of stories, video or digital recordings, whether of an audio or visual nature, and photographs (collectively “Submitted Material”) for use by the AHA, I hereby release the AHA from all liability, and make the following grants and representations in connection therewith:

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