Phoenix Heart Walk @ Tempe Beach Park

http://phoenixheartwalk.kintera.org/

Stay tuned for further info on the 2007 Heart Walk

The Phoenix Heart Walk's goal is bring awareness to the number one killer of men and women in the United States. Every year, more than 930,000 Americans die of cardiovascular diseases. These diseases devastate millions of people of all ages and kill more than 930,000 Americans each year. To fight them the association supports research, education and advocacy, and helps heart disease and stroke patients. Over 22.5 million association volunteers and supporters are at work in their communities helping their friends, neighbors and loved ones live longer, better lives.

The goal of the Heart Walk's across the country is to raise both public awareness and millions of dollars for research and education, says honorary walk chairman Skip Rimsza, whom underwent triple bypass surgery in 1992 and later suffered a mild heart attack. The Phoenix chapter reached their 2006 goal by raising just over $1 million.

  • 61.8 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease
  • Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women of all ethnic backgrounds in the United States
  • One American dies of heart disease every 33 seconds
  • Last year, more people died from heart diseases and stroke than from cancer, diabetes, accidents and AIDS combined
  • Employers spend more than $1 billion every year on Cardiovascular Disease-related health care costs
  • American Heart Association funded research has yielded such discoveries as pacemakers, bypass surgery, CPR, artificial heart valves, and drugs to control blood pressure and cholesterol, just to name a few.

The Phoenix Heart Walk is affiliated with efforts of one of the largest voluntary health organizations working to prevent, treat and defeat heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, the American Heart Association.

For more information about the Walk and to become a participant, please contact Sheila Barham, 480-517-8402 or sheila.barham@riomail.maricopa.edu