WHO: The American Heart Association (AHA) is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. The AHA teams up 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.

The annual success of the Austin Heart Walk is due in part to national and local sponsors. The Heart Walk is sponsored nationally by SUBWAY® restaurants and locally by H-E-B, Texas Mutual Insurance and St. Jude Medical. Please visit www.austinheartwalk.org for a full list of our sponsors.

WHAT: Join the AHA in its mission to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke at the 2014 Austin Heart Walk. More than 5,000 Austinites are expected to attend this annual event. The walk is part of the AHA’s My Heart. My Life. movement, which is a comprehensive health and wellness platform aimed at empowering Americans to live healthier and meet the organization’s 2020 goal of increasing the heart health of all Americans by 20 percent while decreasing deaths due to heart disease and stroke by 20 percent.

WHERE: The Long Center, Austin

WHEN: Saturday, October 18 at 8:00 am

WHY: This year, the AHA, along with help from numerous community partners and leaders like Heart Walk Chair, Jeff Thomas, aims to raise $850,000 to benefit lifesaving research, education, and outreach that support the heart health of those living deep in the heart of Texas. Participants in the Heart Walk who help raise money for the American Heart Association are helping to fund healthcare innovations, powerful education programs, and are transforming lives.

CONTACT: To participate in the Austin Heart Walk, walkers can register online by visiting www.austinheartwalk.org or by calling 512-338-2400. The Austin Heart Walk can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ahaaustin, on Twitter and Instagram at @ahaaustin, and by using #WalkATX. There is no registration fee, but donations are always accepted.

#austinheartwalk, #heartprevention, #strokeprevention, #walkforbetterhealth

Damita Miller-Shanklin

Ujima Magazine