Strength Found in Oklahoma City Heart Walk

By Amy McRee, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Once again, it's time for the annual Oklahoma City Heart Walk, set for April 18. The walk aims to get Oklahomans familiar with heart health and raise funds for more research, but it also allows families who have lost a loved one to a heart defect to find strength and support from others.

Many people will come together for the event, walking as survivors, supporters, or in remembrance of someone who's fallen victim to a heart condition. Such is the case for a local family, who will be among the masses with heavy, yet hopeful hearts.

"Shanley was an inspiration," said Shanley Eckerd's mother Jamie Eckerd. "She was an angel form the very beginning."

Shanley Eckerd was just three days old, doctors diagnosed Shanley with a life-threatening heart defect called Shone complex, a rare disorder that kept Shanley in and out of the hospital. She endured multiple surgeries.

"Even though her heart was sick, she just really had a strong heart, from the inside, from the very beginning to her last days," Jamie Eckerd said.

On January 23, 2008, 12-year-old Shanley could not fight any more.

She lost her battle after suffering complications from what would be her final surgery. The Eckerd's were now left with only memories of a special girl no-one could ever forget.

"She was very happy and proud of who she was, no matter how tough it was," Shanley's cousin Erin Goldman said.

The family's loss remains so great, even a year later it's difficult to put into words.

Shanley's death is more easily expressed through actions, which is why family, friends and all those close to Shanley will be walking for the second year at the Oklahoma City Heart Walk in Shanley's honor.

"She wanted to be noticed," Jamie Eckerd said. "She wanted to be recognized. She loved attention."

Jamie Eckerd said she found great support through the American Heart Association. She encourages everyone to partner up with them, educate and also spread the word that heart disease is the number one killer of Oklahomans.

Shanley's family's holding the second annual Shanley's Pacers fundraiser for the American Heart Association Sunday at the Wormy Dog Saloon in Bricktown.