Spontaneous coronary artery dissection or SCAD as it is known occurs when a split or separation suddenly develops between the layers of the wall of one of the blood vessels [artery] that provides blood flow to the heart.

It is a cause close to the heart, sorry about the pun, of Bomaderry woman Rachael Hall, who suffered a SCAD, and survived, 12-months ago.

Now Rachael and a band of friends are staging a SCADaddle fundraising walk at Cambewarra this Sunday, October 17.

The SCADaddle walk raises awareness and funds for SCAD Research for the Victor Chang Institute.

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Participants in the Cambewarra walk will don red, the colour that represents the heart, leaving the Cambewarra Hall at 9.30am to walk around the Cambewarra Village.

"We had originally hoped to be able to stage a big family orientated event at a local major playing field but with COVID and the weather forecast we have decided to start with a smaller event," Rachael said.

"I'd love for you and your families to join me."

Of course social distancing requirements will be followed.

If you are unable to, but would like to donate, you can click on Rachael's fundraising link below, bring a donation to the Cambe Shop where she works, or as the group walks around the village on Sunday you can just drop funds into the donation box.

To help raise funds for research into the condition SCAD Australia, each year holds a SCADaddle, with the five kilometre fundraising walks, runs or even skips if you like, held at various locations around the country.

This year's event are scheduled across the country for Saturday and Sunday, October 16-17.

So far across Australia more than $111,000 has been raised from various SCADaddles.

If not diagnosed and treated quickly, SCAD may lead to a heart attack, life-threatening arrhythmias or sudden death.

Women in their 40s and 50s are most at risk of SCAD, although it can occur at any age and also in men.

The majority of people who develop SCAD are often healthy with no known risk factors of heart disease such as high blood pressure, diabetes or high blood cholesterol.

SCAD research is undertaken at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, who have partnered with the Mayo Clinic, an American research company.

"All money raised in Australia stays in Australia for research to better understand, diagnose, treat and ultimately prevent SCAD heart attacks, but this event is also about raising the awareness of SCAD and what it is," Rachael said.

You can take part in the SCADaddle by going to the SCAD Research Inc website at www.scadresearch.com.au/ where you can go to the MyCause section to make a donation, or even purchase merchandise,

Or to support Rachael's efforts go to her MyCause page (https://www.mycause.com.au/p/264840/rachael-hallcroese?popup=1&fbclid=IwAR16OgnOpohkMAkGB1aK5oE5I1ypK0tQt8tCud-ue9oyyY09UZtWJ2tW-AQ ).