Forty Monroe County residents participated in the American Heart Association’s Start! Heart Walk May 16 in South?eld, including Sharon Bowman, Terri Moore, Mike Moore, Staci Compher, Steve Vitale, Jennifer Emery, Susan Martinez, Cherrie VerWoert, Melissa Thomas and Dr. Steven Bell.

Forty Monroe County residents were among thou- sands who took part in the American Heart Associa- tion Start! Heart Walk on May 16 in Southfield. The event, a walk and a five kilometer run, included local residents who have graduated from Great Lakes Weight and Wellness, a Monroe-based weight- loss program owned by Dr. Stephen Bell. Each has lost at least 80 pounds or more since joining the program.

The event also brought awareness to cardiovascular disease. Staci Compher of New- port took part in the event not only for her own physi- cal health but in memory of her husband, who died nearly two years ago of dilated cardiomyopathy. To date, Mrs. Compher has lost 140 pounds. Area residents partici- pating in the event raised $1,000 for the American Heart Association.

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