ST. LOUIS - The Metro St. Louis Start! Heart Walk Saturday will be dedicated to a former Normal Community High School student. Kirbie Brittain, 15, died in a St. Louis hospital on Sept. 1 of a heart ailment.

At the walk, a speech will be given in her honor, and an 8-foot tribute banner will be carried in her name.

She had bone cancer as a child. The treatment damaged her heart, leading to an eventual heart transplant in 2007 in St. Louis. She returned to health and was able to attend NCHS.

Several friends from NCHS and Kingsley Junior High School in Normal started a campaign called Kirbie Strong. They raised money in her name and will be participating in the walk while wearing T-shirts in her honor.

Her father, Rodney Brittain of Towanda, said his daughter had been an ambassador of the American Heart Association. He said he was honored by the tribute to her.

The walk to raise money and awareness for the American Heart Association will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Busch Stadium.

A Facebook site tells Kirbie Brittain's stories and a link to donate to the American Heart Association http://apps.facebook.com/causes/131075/22071729?m6d54c0aa.