Heart Walk participants take healthy steps to stomp out heart disease and stroke
Thousands of Long Islanders are expected to join the American Heart Association’s Long Island Heart Walk on Sunday, September 18th to raise funds to fight heart disease and stroke, America’s No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death,. The annual event begins at 8:30 a.m. at Jones Beach, Field 5 in Wantagh, NY.
The non-competitive, three-mile walk includes teams of employees from local companies, along with friends and family members of all ages.
“For every hour of brisk walking, life expectancy may increase for some adults by two hours,” said Linda Armyn, SVP Corporate Affairs at Bethpage Federal Credit Union and Long Island Chair of the 2016 Long Island Heart Walk. “I look forward to working with Executive Leaders across Long Island to help raise awareness and funds for the American Heart Association to continue its mission to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.”
Heart Walk participants will experience three “communities” that feature relevant resources and activities.
This year’s Long Island Heart Walk will once again feature interactive and compelling life-changing information and activities including the first “Kids Heart Challenge” sponsored by JP Morgan Chase, which is a physical healthy activity for 5 to 12 year olds and a Kidz Zone sponsored by Voxx featuring face painting, crafts, and games for kids and families, Eat Street-featuring heart healthy snacks before and after you walk, Team Photos-Grab everyone you’re walking with for a group picture! Mended Hearts, Red Caps & White Caps-All Heart Disease Survivors Receive a Red Cap! Stroke Survivors receive a White Cap!
This year we are honored to have Thomas Wrightington, born with a congenital heart defect to serve as the 2016 Long Island Heart Walk Red Cape Ambassador, hoping to raise awareness for congenital heart defects and provide hope for other families.
Research has shown walking is the single most effective form of exercise to achieve heart health. The benefits of walking and moderate physical activity for as little as 30 minutes each day can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
The annual success of the Long Island Heart Walk is due in part to our national sponsor, Subway. Our event sponsor is Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Local sponsors include Chase, JP Morgan Chase, Voxx International, TD Bank, Winthrop University Hospital, Geico, Astoria Bank, Flushing Bank, Setton Farms, Deloitte, Cohn Resnick, Rivkin Radler, PSE&G, Brookhaven Memorial Hospital, Luxottica and Catholic Health Services. Local media sponsors are WBAB 102.3-FM, WBLI 106.1-FM and Connoisseur Media.
For more information about the Long Island Heart Walk taking place on Sunday, September 18th visit us at www.longislandheartwalk.org.