Willis-Knighton Health System employees have been cited for top fundraising efforts during the fall Heart Walk on October 8. According to Laura Pfender, regional director for the American Heart Association, Willis-Knighton staff raised $21,916.

With leadership from each campus, fundraising activities began with the forming of teams and securing of walkers. WK’s marketing department assisted with a custom-designed t-shirt which was available for purchase. Paper hearts were sold, sponsorships from friends and relatives were received online, and bake sales were held. A major source of income was an online auction.

According to Kathy Walker, director of the Willis-Knighton Heart & Vascular Institute, this year’s internal auction was a large factor in the total. “We began this auction in 2010 and it has grown every year and is now a very popular employee activity,” she said. “Employees, clinics, and departments are very creative and generous with donation items.” With the cooperation of the IT Department items are placed on the health system’s intranet where employees bid on them. All proceeds from the items go to the Heart Walk, as do proceeds from the sale of the shirts. 

Many Willis-Knighton employees donned their t-shirts and, with their family members (including a few dogs, participated in the Heart Walk at LSU Shreveport. WK employees joined community and business walkers as well as heart patients for a large turn-out, comfortable weather and fun for a good cause. “We appreciate the effort of our employees, their family members and local businesses that offered items for the auction,” Walker said. “This is just one more way that Willis-Knighton fights heart disease and stroke in our community.”