We are honored to be chairing the 2023 Collier County Heart Walk, which will be held on November 4, 2023, in support of the American Heart Association (AHA).
In November 2004, Jamie was the head basketball coach at Naples High. He and his basketball team surprised their team manager and biggest cheerleader, Kyle Fernstrom, by joining his fundraising team and walking with him at the Heart Walk. Kyle was born with a congenital heart defect and thanks to the AHA research, he lived a very fulfilling life. Being at the Heart Walk and supporting Kyle that day was transformational. A few months later, on February 8, 2005, at the age of 18, Kyle passed away. It feels like a lifetime ago, but at the same time, it was just yesterday.
Our family and the Naples High players (past & present) continue the yearly tradition. We walk in Kyle’s memory; the school holds a “Red Out” Game to raise awareness and donations for the AHA; and the current head coach (a former player on Jamie’s team) still presents the annual award and a college scholarship to a player with the “Biggest Heart”. These are legacies that Jamie started, and it means a lot to us that the traditions continue.
In memory of Kyle and in celebration of our family and friends who are affected daily by heart health issues, we feel it’s important to further the mission of AHA. If it wasn’t for the advancements that have been made through the years from funding by the AHA, many people we know and love, wouldn’t be here today. Our collective goal is to raise $650,000 and we would be honored to have you support us.
Your donation will greatly enhance the efforts the AHA is making with heart disease, strokes, research, education, and promoting healthy lifestyles that will save many lives.
