DETROIT – If you see women walking and running on Belle Isle, you might just think they are working out, but in reality, they might be fighting heart disease.
A woman was targeted at 13 years old and another woman was targeted in her 30s. They're sharing their story to help others make sure they aren't next.
Recommended Videos
Fabiola Garnett is walking for her life. When she was just 13, her life nearly ended.
"I wanted to catch up with some friend," she said. "When I went, that 10-feet quick run, that's the last thing I remember. I passed out."
She said that led to her heart shaking and she went into cardiac arrest. She learned she had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM.
How was it dealing with the disease as a child?
"It was horrible," Garnett said. "You want to run, play, go to school dances, but you can't because you have to sit on the sidelines."
Now Garnett takes great care of herself, eating healthy and walking twice a day everyday. While her case is a genetic one, she still shares the importance of heart health.
"It doesn't' matter who you are," she said. "It can affect you, too."
Pamela Mace, 53, knows that all too well. A marathon runner, Mace suffered a stroke when she was just 37 years old.
I thought, 'There is no way this is happening to me. I'm in such good shape,'" Mace said.
Mace admits she ignored some of the signs, starting with a headache one morning. Despite that, she went on her run. When she came back, she said something was wrong.
"I noticed my pupils were uneven," Mace said. "I had a tightening sensation to my head and my head was tender to touch."
Mace was diagnosed with dissections (tears) in three of the four arteries that supply blood flow to the brain. From those tears, she also formed two pseudo aneurysms.
"I think its important for women to take care of themselves," Mace said. "They are so used to taking care of children or their spouse or their home, and we neglect ourselves."
Garnett and Mace are preparing for the American Home Fitness Detroit Women's Run and Walk on Sept. 18.
"A lot of times they will announce heart heroes before the race, so they know who we are," Mace said.
"Women are there for so many reasons. They've never done a race, want to run do a half marathon, 10k, 5k," said Eva Soloman, CEO of Epic Races. "Some are overcoming something big in their life. The training is their therapy and the race is their reward."
The presence of Garnett and Mace is important in two ways: it's a personal accomplishment for themselves and a chance to save a life by sharing their stories.
The race is a half marathon, 10k and 5k open to runners and walkers. You can learn much more at the websites listed below.
You can help Gisselle raise money for her heart transplant by clicking here.