2009 Heart Walk

Michelle Schnepper and her daughter, Macie, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008. (Journal Gazette/ Times-Courier, Kevin Kilhoffer)

Macie Schnepper was 3 months old when she went into cardiac arrest. Denny Throneburg was 54 years old when he had quadruple bypass. Throneburg and Michelle Schnepper, Macie’s mother, were featured speakers Wednesday morning at the kickoff breakfast for the 2009 Start! Coles County Heartwalk.The annual Heartwalk to raise funds for heart disease awareness and research will be held Feb. 1 at Cross County Mall.

Team captains and volunteers met Wednesday at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center to launch their efforts. Amanda Buckler, corporate events director for the American Heart Association’s Midwest affiliate, said one in three people will be affected by heart disease. “Almost everyone you talk to has a story,” she said. “They know either a family member or a friend, but they’ve been affected in some way.”

Throneburg, Lake Land College’s athletic director and softball coach, certainly didn’t think he would have heart disease. He had been an athlete in high school and college, coached sports for many years, does not smoke, isn’t overweight and works out.“There was no indication that I had a heart problem,” he said. “I was a good example of a person who shouldn’t have heart problems.” Thinking he had some acid reflux, Throneburg saw his physician who sent him to the hospital for tests. “He said you’re lucky to be alive,” Throneburg said of the physician. Two of Throneburg’s arteries were completely blocked; two others were 80 percent blocked. “I went from thinking I’m perfectly healthy to quadruple bypass,” Throneburg. He has since participated in and “graduated” from the METS exercise program at Sarah Bush Lincoln, adopted a more healthy diet and has “learned to appreciate things more.” “The motto of my story is: Get yourself checked out,” he said.

Macie Schnepper was born 2 months premature with an inflammation of the heart in May 2006, according to her mom, Michelle. Macie seemed healthy but at 8 weeks had some difficulty breathing. At 3 months, she went into cardiac arrest. “Our only option was a heart transplant,” Mrs. Schnepper said. “We were in and out of the hospital for the next month. Thirty-five days later, a heart donor became available.” On Oct. 5, 2006, Macie underwent a heart transplant. “It was very scary,” Mrs. Schnepper said. “My husband (Mike) and I are organ donors but we never thought (transplants) would include a child. While we were thankful for the heart for Macie we grieved for the donor family as well.” The new heart was a perfect match, the mother said. Mrs. Schnepper said an infant’s heart is the size of an almond but Macie’s heart was about three times the normal size. The Schneppers, who live in Dieterich, plan to participate in the Feb. 1 Heartwalk event.

Why a walk to focus attention on heart disease? Beckler said studies have shown that walking has the lowest rate of dropouts from various forms of exercise.“It’s inexpensive and you don’t have to have a partner,” she said. “It’s the easiest and cheapest form of exercise.”Beckler also said research indicates that for every hour of exercise a person gains two hours of life expectancy.Anyone wishing to enter a team or participate in the Heartwalk should call Sara East at SBLHC, 258-2571 or 348-2571.Contact Lair at blair@jg-tc.com or 238-6865.