Hicksville girl lends Heart Walk motivation

About 100 business executives kicked off plans yesterday morning for the American Heart Association's 2012 Long Island Heart Walk. First, they heard an explanation of why a healthy diet and exercise are so important -- delivered by a 12-year-old Hicksville girl.

Cecilia Funk was born with a heart block, a problem with the heart's electrical system that results in a slower heart rate.

"Although I've had no need for intervention thus far, I am a likely candidate in the near or not-so-near future for a pacemaker," Cecilia told the audience at Oheka Castle in Huntington.

John Buran, chief executive of Lake Success-based Flushing Bank, parent of Flushing Savings Bank, is chairman of this year's Heart Walk, set for Sept. 23 with a goal of raising $540,000. He called on the executives to start health programs at their companies. "It will reduce your expenses for health-care costs," he said.

Cecilia got a big hand from the crowd. She was to play Alice in "Alice in Wonderland" at a school play last night. Despite her health problems, she takes dance and voice lessons and is vice president of her middle school. What can't she do? "I can't play guitar," she said.