| (04/16/08) - Mayor Don Plusquellic officially
proclaimed April 16 Start! Walking Day for Akron. Alice Luse, Executive Director of the
Akron American Heart Association said, "We are so excited to be partnering with our
community leaders. It's vitally important that the communities recognize the importance of
physical activity" Why is walking so important? It's simple. Americans simply are
not getting enough physical activity and physical activity is fundamental to good health.
Studies show that adults may gain as much as two hours of life expectancy for each hour of
regular vigorous exercise - like very brisk walking. "Physical activity is one of the
most effective ways to combat heart disease and stroke," said Jack Diamond, Chair of
the 2008 Start! Heart Walk. "Walking is one of the easiest and efficient activities
for sedentary Americans to include as part of a simple program to improve their heart
health."
The Start! Walking Program encourages companies to promote walking at work and
recognizes and rewards employees who move from a sedentary to a more physically active
lifestyle. The program removes the significant barriers of lack of time and place for
physical activity for millions of American workers and is one of the criteria to be
certified "Fit- Friendly." The Fit Friendly Companies Recognition Program
officially recognizes employers who champion the health of their employees.
In addition to the Walking Program the American Heart Association is currently
recruiting participants and sponsors for the annual Start! Heart Walk on Saturday,
September 20 at The University of Akron Stile Field House. The American Heart Association
raises funds for research and education has contributed to many important discoveries such
as CPR, life-extending drugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery, the heart-lung machine and
surgical techniques to repair heart defects.
Start! is sponsored nationally by SUBWAY(r) Restaurants, Healthy Choice(r) and
AstraZeneca. For more information about the Start! Heart Walk and/or the Fit-Friendly
Companies Program call Julie Johnson, Sr. Start! Heart Walk Director at 330-664-1905 or
visit heart.org/start.
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(Pictured from left to right) Julie Johnson, Sr. Start!
Heart Walk Director; Jack Diamond, President of Brennan, Manna and Diamond, LLC and the
2008 Start! Heart Walk Chair; Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic; Alice Luse, Executive Director
of the American Heart Association; and Rebecca Clark, Heart Walk Director
About the American Heart Association
Since 1924, the American Heart Association has helped protect people of all ages and
ethnicities from the ravages of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, the nation's No.
1 and No. 3 killers, claim more than 870,000 American lives a year. Through events and
programs, the association raises money to fund research, professional and public
education, and advocacy so people across America can live stronger, longer lives.
The American Heart Association currently has four
initiatives designed to help specific groups of Americans. Go Red For Women focuses on
cardiovascular disease in women. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation combats childhood
obesity. Power To End Stroke speaks to the African American community about its
disproportionately high risk. And Start! works to help adults get more physical activity
into their daily lives.
Contact:
Angela Presutti, Communications Director
330-664-1906
Angela.presutti@heart.org |
