American Heart Association to honor Roanoke man battling heart defect, helping others

26th annual Heart Walk in Roanoke Saturday

ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke man is preparing to be honored at the American Heart Association's 26th annual Heart Walk in Roanoke this weekend.

Ben Higgins was born with a congenital heart defect that's led to a valve replacement and the removal of 5 inches of his aorta.

Higgins, the Heart Walk red cap survivor spokesperson, said he's able to live a normal life, which he's dedicated to helping others at friendship rehab and organizations that he credits with saving his life.

"The support and the love that I have from my folks, and my family and my friends over the course of my life has been the number one thing that's kept me going, but a real close second has been the science and technology," Higgins said.

You can support people like Higgins at the Heart Walk Saturday morning. Click here for more information about the event.


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