BUTLER TWP — Just like hundreds of other children in the Seneca Valley School District, William Gillespie recently got to enjoy his first day of kindergarten at Evans City Elementary School.

Although that may seem like a regular milestone in a child's life, for William and his family, it was special.

The 6-year-old boy had to overcome a major health problem recovering from a severe congenital heart defect in his first week of life.

"He really loves it," said William's father Harry Gillespie of his son's first day of school. "It's really the first time he's been around so many kids his age."

William and the Gillespie family will be walking on Oct. 10 with hundreds of others from Butler County, norhtern Allegheny County and elsewhere to raise money for heart and stroke research at the American Heart Association's annual Start! Heart Walk at Butler County Community College.

"I am very grateful to the American Heart Association. Without their cutting edge technology and the fundraising efforts such as the Start! Heart Walk, William would not be with us today," said Harry Gillespie.

Harry and Rockel Gillespie relocated to Cranberry Township nearly two years ago from Memphis, Tenn. The family has six children, three grown, and three living in Cranberry.

William was born on his mother's birthday, Aug. 8, in 2003, with a congenital heart defect called tetralogy of fallot. Tetralogy of fallot has several key features.

A ventricular septal defect, which is a hole between the ventricles, and many levels of obstruction, are some of the problems. The aorta, a major artery from the heart to the body, is directly over the hole between the ventricles and the right ventricle develops thickened muscle.

William was born and checked out of the hospital. However, a week later, the Gillespies had concerns over the positioning of the baby's ears and decided to take him to their pediatrician, a move that may have saved the child's life.

The pediatrician confirmed the ears were in the proper position, but the doctor detected a heart murmur.

Although not uncommon in babies, it is standard procedure to get a cardiologist to verify that nothing is wrong.

After several heart tests, the cardiologist ordered the child rushed to the emergency room for surgery.

"I'll never forget looking back and seeing our baby boy on the table, laying helpless. I immediately called my father, who is a minister, and we began to pray for William," said his father.

The surgery was successful. William had a second open heart surgery in April 2004.

Although there were many follow-up visits to doctors up until the age of 2, William now only visits his cardiologist annually in addition to his normal doctor visits.

Doctors believe he most likely will not need another surgery until he is a young adult.

Harry said his family has been involved with the heart walk since he learned of it through a co-worker, and his family is thankful for the efforts of the American Heart Association.

The association last year provided $554 million for heart and stroke research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs with money raised through efforts such as the Start! Heart Walk.

The Butler Marshall Warrendale Heart Walk began in 2003 in Cranberry. As the event grew and became more successful, it was moved to its current location at BC3.

In 2007, the Heart Walk raised more than $60,000 while last year, the event raised $82,000. The goal for this year's walk is $100,000.

Last year's walk had more than 600 people involved. This year, event organizers believe the event is on track to have even more walkers participate.

"Our volunteers consistently strive to engage the community to participate in the walk. And when you hear from our heart heroes and their families, like the Gillespies, the goal and purpose is crystal clear," said Barbara Roth, BMW Start! Heart Walk division director.

"The funds that are raised from our walk and the more than 400 other Heart Walks around the country are critical and do, in fact, save lives," she said.

<B>WHAT:</B> American Heart Association's Start! Heart Walk<B>WHEN: </B>Oct. 10. Registration at 9 a.m. Walk at 10 a.m.<B>WHERE:</B> Butler County Community College, 107 College Drive<B>INFO:</B> To register, contact Barbara Roth at 724-453-1004 or visit the Web site: www.americanheart.org/bmwwalk