HARRIS — For 42 years, the 98.3 WSUL Heart-A-Thon has been raising money to help Catskill Regional Hospital's (CRMC) Cardio-Pulmonary Department, and this year, the event raised $81,128.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), every 37 seconds, one person dies in the United States from cardiovascular disease, and every year, roughly 647,000 people in America die from heart disease.

Moreover, according to the CDC, between 2014 and 2015, the cost of heart disease to the United States is $219 billion each year.

Elected officials, agencies, businesses, and folks from across the county descended upon the Woodland Wildlings Garden Café at CRMC last Friday.

The Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association presented this year's fundraising event.

“The 98.3 WSUL Heart-A-Thon is a great example of how local radio can bring together an entire community for a great cause,” said Dawn Ciorciari, General Manager Bold Gold Media New York Region.

CRMC will use the funds to help subsidize the purchase of a new echocardiogram unit.

“As a result of the efforts by our dedicated committee, our sponsors, and the many supporters, our community hospital will now have a vital piece of equipment that will save lives. Bold Gold Media Group is proud to continue this legacy event for years to come,” added Ciorciari.

One of the many elected officials that lent their support to the cause was U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19). “It was great to join Sullivan County volunteers at the 42nd Annual Heart-A-Thon to support the Catskill Regional Medical Center in investing in critical cardiology equipment that will allow them to serve folks in our community.”

Delgado joined the Heart-A-Thon during the ‘Women's Health Hour' and spoke about his own family's history with heart disease.

“I'm working to ensure everyone in our district, no matter where they live, can access the health care they need,” Delgado said.

This year's Heart-A-Thon was co-chaired by SUNY Sullivan President, Jay Quaintance and Foster Supply Hospitality (FSH) Co-Founder, Sims Foster.

CRMC's CEO Jonathan Schiller said prior to the event, “Our cardio-pulmonary team helps patients fight and cope with heart disease every day, battling the number one killer of men and women in the United States. WSUL and the Heart-A-Thon play an important role in our annual fundraising, and we cannot thank our partners and generous donors enough for always coming through to make this yearly event a success. The money raised helps us maintain the advanced level of cardiac care we are proud to provide to our Sullivan County neighbors.”