Start! Heart Walk is Sunday, June 3^rd

Toledo Heart Walk will be held on Sunday, June 3, 2007, at Fifth Third Field.  Opening ceremonies for the fun-filled, non-competitive 1- to 3-mile walking event begins at 10:30 a.m. Check-in starts at 9:30 a.m.

Participants of all ages and abilities will participate in the 1 to 3-mile walk.  The Start!  Heart Walk is made up of businesses, churches, families and organizations that walk in teams to raise funds and promote health and wellness.

Heart disease and stroke survivors will participate in the walk to celebrate their own life.  They will be highly-recognized with their special red caps during the opening ceremony.  

Amy Saragian, Start!  Heart Walk director said, “There is still time to register for the walk.  In fact, I encourage anyone who has lost a loved one to heart disease and individuals who have personally survived heart disease and stoke to participate in the walk. It will be especially meaningful to you.

“Every 33 seconds someone dies from cardiovascular disease and someone suffers a stroke every 53 seconds.” Nearly 4,000 have, thus far, registered to walk to fight nation’s leading killers, heart disease and stroke.

Funds raised at the walk provide research and public and professional education programs. Research funded by walks have yielded important discoveries such as CPR, life-extending drugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery and surgical techniques to repair heart defects.

The Start! Heart Walk, has raised more than $300 million in its 11-year history. As the American Heart Association’s signature fund-raising event, the walk promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living in a fun family environment. This year over 1 million walkers of all ages and abilities will participate in more than 500 events, raising funds to save lives from this country’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers — heart disease and stroke.

For more information or to register for the walk, call (419) 740-6171.