Dr. Sajan Rao Chairman and Top Fundraising Walker in Collier County Heart Walk

The 2018 Collier County Heart Walk in Naples on Saturday raised more than $500,000 in donations to the American Heart Association.  Between 3,000 and 4,000 people attended the event at Cambier Park, said Liz Kellar, director of the event. The money raised will go toward cardiac and stroke research and awareness locally and nationally, she said.  “We’re truly saving lives here today,” Kellar said.  The event started about 8 a.m. With music pumping into the air, attendees milled about. They could stop at tents to get information or shoot some hoops at a mini basketball hoop or stop to pet one of the many pooches that owners brought to walk with them.  The top fundraising walker was this year’s Collier County Heart Walk chairman, Sajan Rao, who raised more than $115,000.