Upstate Corporate Leaders Support the American Heart Association at Annual Executive Breakfast
October 30, 2014
GREENVILLE, SC – Company Leaders from over 30 companies across the Upstate attended the American Heart Association’s annual Executive Breakfast, on October 29, to kick off the 2015 Upstate Heart Walk. The event, led by Heart Walk Co-chairs, Brian Rogers and Matt Puckett of Wells Fargo Bank and Wells Fargo Insurance Services, provided attendees with information about the financial burden of health related issues in corporate America and how the American Heart Association can help them make a difference in Upstate employee’s lives.
“The annual cost of cardiovascular disease to our nation, through real dollars and lost productivity, is $444 billion” said Matt Puckett. “It is our responsibility as business leaders to address this financial burden and encourage our companies and employees to make a change”.
Attendees were encouraged to make a commitment to the 2015 Upstate Heart Walk through sponsorship dollars, company heart walk teams, and with personal commitments as part of the Executive Leadership Challenge.
“Our goal is to raise $525,000 this year” said Brian Rogers. “With the support from local companies and their employees, we feel confident we will reach that goal”.
The Executive Breakfast not only served as the kickoff for the 2015 Upstate Heart Walk but also a celebration of the success of the 2014 Upstate Heart Walk by recognizing an individual as the winner of the C. Dan Joyner Executive Fundraising Challenge. This year, Mr. Tony Kouskolekas was awarded for his superior fundraising efforts and for raising over $8,000 in support of last year’s Heart Walk.
The Upstate Heart Walk raises funds to fight heart disease and stroke, America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers and is the American Heart Association’s mission in action. Each day, nearly 2,400 Americans die from a cardiovascular disease which is an average of one death every 37 seconds.
As the Executive Breakfast concluded, community leaders shared their personal connection to the American Heart Association and why they are passionate about the organization’s mission. The generous support from these Upstate businesses and community leaders will help the American Heart Association fund lifesaving research, education, and programs to change the heart health of the Upstate.
Attendees of Executive Breakfast
For more information on sponsorship opportunities and how to register for the Upstate Heart Walk log on to www.upstateheartwalk.org or call the American Heart Association at (864) 627-4158.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
