More than 70,000 people gathered in Downtown Dallas this Saturday to participate in the American Heart Association’s 20th annual Heart Walk.

The walk, which is used to raise awareness of heart disease and raise money for the cure, occurs in over 300 U.S. cities. The Dallas Heart Walk raised $5,161,989, just shy of its goal of $5,500,000.

There were over 800 registered participants from SMU that included students, faculty, staff and even Basketball Head Coach Larry Brown. SMU raised $14,742 for the cure.

The Dallas community takes pride in its Heart Walk by not only having one of the largest turnouts in the country, but also setting one of the highest donation goals.

Participant Mimi Robertson believes that the Heart Walk is one of the most important events of the year.

“It brings everyone together, and it strengthens the community,” she said.

The 2014-2015 Heart Walks are continuing through the western half of the United States. For more information visit www.heartwalk.org.