6,000 Midlands residents to participate in the 2016 Midlands Heart Walk
March 1, 2016
More than 6,000 Midlands area residents are expected to attend the annual Midlands Heart Walk on Saturday, March 12th at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC. Activities kick off at 8 am and the walk begins at 9 am.
The Midlands Heart Walk is designed to promote physical activity and initiate heart-healthy living while raising funds to support the mission of the American Heart Association – “Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.” Teams of employees from more than 100 local companies, along with friends and family members of all ages will gather for a 3 mile noncompetitive walk, music, a kid’s zone, healthy snacks, heart disease and stroke prevention information and interactive displays.
Proceeds from The Heart Walk will benefit lifesaving research and awareness programs to fight heart disease and stroke, America’s No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death and disability. A few life-saving techniques and breakthroughs that have resulted from American Heart Association research include artificial valves, CPR, life-extending drugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery, and techniques to repair heart defects.
The 2016 Midlands Heart Walk, chaired by David Pankau, CEO of BlueCross Blue Shield of South Carolina, hopes to raise $650,000 to support national American Heart Association research and program initiatives.
Research shows that although more than 1 in 3 adults have some form of heart disease, 80% of heart diseases are preventable with lifestyle changes. Walking is one of the most effective forms of physical activity to improve heart health. For as little as 30 minutes of walking or moderate physical activity a day, we can reduce our risk of heart disease and stroke.
The 2016 Midlands Heart Walk is nationally sponsored by Subway and locally sponsored by BlueCross Blue Shield of South Carolina.
For more information or to register for the Midlands Heart Walk visit www.midlandsheartwalk.org.
About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases claim nearly 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2006-07 the association invested more than $554 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.heart.org.
