ERIE, Pa. — The community will come together today at the Bayfront Convention Center for the annual Heart Walk, an event dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and celebrating survivors of strokes and heart disease.

This year’s event will feature Debbie Vance as its Heart Hero. Born with congenital heart disease, Vance has faced a lifetime of heart-related challenges, including two open-heart surgeries.

Congenital heart disease, or CHD, refers to abnormalities of the heart or major blood vessels that are present at birth and can affect normal blood flow and oxygen delivery. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CHD affects nearly 1% of births in the United States.

Vance underwent her first open-heart surgery when she was just six years old. She still vividly remembers the pain and recovery that followed the procedure.

“I do clearly remember when I woke up from the surgery, like a lot of pain. I remember going through the recovery and all that,” Vance said. “I remember still being in the hospital. I can still envision, like, the room I was in.”

Following her childhood surgery, Vance went on to live an active life. She enjoyed spending her free time fishing, hiking and traveling.

But as an adult, she began experiencing symptoms that made those activities increasingly difficult.

“And then I started getting, like, tired, swelled ankles, short of breath, and things like that,” Vance said. “I was having trouble reeling in fish. I had to constantly stop and take breaks during, like, the hikes and things like that. And I knew that I was going to have to have, like, another heart surgery.”

In 2024, Vance underwent her second heart surgery and later had to wear a pacemaker.

Now, she is sharing her story as this year’s Heart Hero to encourage others affected by heart disease and help raise awareness about the importance of heart health.

The annual Heart Walk brings people together to recognize survivors, honor those affected by cardiovascular disease and support efforts to improve heart health in the community.

Community members can learn more about the Heart Walk and find ways to get involved by visiting the American Heart Association’s event website.