AUBURN — The 15th annual Central Maine Heart Walk took place on Sept. 15 in Lewiston/Auburn and Rumford to benefit the life-saving research and education of the American Heart Association. The AHA’s largest event in Central Maine, the flagship walk in Lewiston/Auburn drew approximately 1500 walkers who together raised more than $115,000.

Paul Smith, a senior vice president with TD Bank, and Matt Jancovic, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Oxford Networks, are the 2013 Heart Walk co-chairmen. Smith previously chaired the 2011 Heart Walk and is a heart survivor and top individual fundraising walker, raising nearly $4,000.

The top fundraising company teams were Central Maine Medical Center, who took the lead by raising more than $13,000, followed by TD Bank, St. Mary’s Health System and Schooner Estates.

Smith presented his co-worker Melanie Wentworth with the 2013 Lifestyle Change Award for her weight loss efforts. Wentworth lost more than 100 pounds by increasing her physical activity and making healthy dietary changes. She went from having difficulty going for short walks due to shortness of breath to participating in weight training and aerobic classes for 60 minutes at a time.

Walkers then embarked on either a 1-mile or 5K walk along the L/A Trails Riverwalk. New this year, the event also included a 5K Fun Run.

A satellite walk was held in Rumford. Volunteers raised more than $7,000, with about 140 walkers. Sandy Witas, of River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition was the leader, assisted by Tammy Berry, Tammy Daigle, Dan Elliott, Sharon Gates, Jane Bubar and Betty Palmer.

The event was made possible by the 2013 Heart Walk Executive Committee which included Allison Beane, Hilton Garden Inn; Jill Cunningham, The City of Auburn; Adam Dunbar, Wells Fargo Advisors; Kevin Fletcher, The Masiello Group Commercial Associates; Jeff Gosselin, Mechanics Savings Bank; Matt Jancovic, Oxford Networks; Sandra Jones, TD Bank; Susan Keiler, St. Mary’s Health Systems; Kevin Lewis, Maine Community Health Options; Erica Madore, Austin Associates; Lorrie Marquis-Potvin, St. Mary’s Health Systems; Cindie Rice, Central Maine Medical Center; and Paul Smith, TD Bank.

To donate, visit www.centralmaineheartwalk.org or call the AHA Maine office at 207-879-5700.