Ulster

Donna DeLucia Kosack is a fighter and a survivor. Her family has a history of

Donna DeLucia Kosack is a fighter and a survivor. Her family has a history of heart disease, but she never expected to receive this diagnosis.

"It wasn't until maybe 10 years ago I learned I was actually born with a congenital birth defect," she said. "So that echo [test] actually led to the diagnosis of bicuspid valve, which means I have two leaflets instead of three in my heart valve."

But she hasn't let it stop her. She's still doing what she loves, including chairing the annual Ulster-Dutchess Walk for Heart Disease to benefit the American Heart Association.

"I think that what's important to me about the walk is it is a community event and it's raising funds for research and education for everyone within our own community," she said.

She says it's important for her not only to raise money, but awareness too. According to data from the American Heart Association, at nearly one million deaths, heart disease and stroke claim more lives each year than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined. So she wants folks to know how to remain heart healthy.

"Get to your doctor, get your physicals, get a baseline CAT scan," she said. "Get a baseline echo EKG. Just know where you're at."

So she’ll keep walking for the sake of her loved ones and everyone else's.

"What made me more passionate was just how important it was to kind of talk to the younger people because or even moms and ladies, because it just is heart disease doesn't discriminate on age," she said. "It goes after anybody."

The Ulster-Dutchess heart walk will take place on Saturday, April 29. Check-in starts at 9 a.m. on the Walkway over the Hudson.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been corrected to reflect the proper spelling of Donna Kosack's name.

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