The Peru Gazette

The Foundation of CVPH’s 2026 Stepping Out For Your Heart raised $33,000, helping the organization reach its $1.37 million campaign goal to fund the CVPH Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center. Construction is underway and is expected to be completed in late summer.

Community support helps complete CVPH cardiac rehab campaign

Plattsburgh, NY, March 27, 2026  – The 250 community members who participated in the 11th Annual Stepping Out For Your Heart helped shine a light on heart disease and women in the North Country while putting the capstone on The Foundation of CVPH’s $1.37 million fundraising campaign in support of the new CVPH Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center. The Foundation of CVPH’s 11th Annual Stepping Out For Your Heart Event was held February 26 and in conjunction with the Foundation’s Wear Red day, raised $33,000.

“The generosity of everyone who participated and contributed to Stepping Out helped us reach our fundraising goal and we are so grateful to have such a generous and engaged community. It was amazing to see so many people coming together to learn more about heart disease and to support those in the community who are impacted by it,” said University of Vermont Health Network –Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Associate Vice President of Philanthropy Kerry Haley. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, and many of those deaths, according to the American Heart Association, can be prevented through greater awareness of cardiovascular health, symptoms, risk factors, and lifestyle changes. According to Events and Special Projects ManagerMichelle Senecal, the goal of Stepping Out For Your Heart has been to increase the community’s understanding of heart disease especially in women and to highlight the nationally recognized CVPH cardiology team providing exceptional care to the region.

Construction of the new Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab Center in the Miner Medical Arts Building is underway and is expected to be completed in late summer. It offers a larger space on the main campus to house the hospital’s successful Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and add a similar service for pulmonary patients. Cardiac Rehabilitation is a supervised exercise, education and supportprogram focused on returning patients who have had a heart attack, valve replacement, angioplasty or bypass surgery to their optimum level of health. Similarly, Pulmonary Rehabilitation provides patients with chronic lung conditions an individualized program to help them breathe better, build  endurance and improve the quality of their life. Education, support and supervised exercise are also key components of Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Education, Inspiration, Fun & Support

This year’s Stepping Out For Your Heart featured Cardiologists Joel Wolkowicz and Eric Gauthier presenting “The Heart and It’s Care Close to Home” and local heart disease survivor MaryAnn Castine who shared how surviving a heart attack changed her life. Former Foundation Board Member Michelle LaBounty also shared how the loss of her mother at young age to a heart attack fuels her commitment to promoting awareness of heart disease and support of those affected. Guests were encouraged to participate in several interactive stations and could bid on a wide variety of donated items during silent and live auctions. A heart healthy dinner was provided. The evening was hosted by Lee Ann Ruff.

The event was graciously supported by Monaghan Medical Corporation, Liquor and Wine Warehouse, Della Auto Group, Adirondack Elite Aesthetics, Brennan Buick GMC, Community Bank, CVPH Cardiology, Schluter Systems, Plattco and all the generous sponsors. “We are truly thankful for everyone who has helped us bring the new Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab center fundraising effort across the finish line,” Haley said.