Two area executives will chair 2019 Heart Walk & Run

M&T Bank’s Dan Burns and Mirror Show Management’s Donna Shultz hope to raise $800,000 at the American Heart Association’s April 2019 event

Rochester, NY – The American Heart Association, the largest voluntary health organization fighting heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases, announces that Dan Burns, President of M&T Bank’s Rochester region, and Donna Shultz, Founder, President & CEO of Mirror Show Management, will co-chair the 2019 Rochester Heart Walk & Run. The annual event will take place on Saturday, April 6th at Frontier Field in Rochester. More than 4,000 people are expected to attend.

Burns and Shultz will lead the organizational and recruitment efforts. This year’s goal is to raise $800,000 to help fund research and education to fight heart disease and stroke in the Rochester community.

“I’m honored to help lead the Heart Walk & Run and feel it is important to educate our community around preventing the number one and five killers – heart disease and stroke,” Burns said. “This is a cause that’s personal to me. Like so many of us, I lost a loved one to heart disease, my father, and one of my very best friends recently had to have heart surgery. The Heart Walk & Run is about creating a culture of health and wellness for everyone, and I encourage other community and business leaders to step up and join the fight.”

A lifelong resident of Rochester, Burns serves on the boards of the Greater Rochester Enterprise, YMCA of Greater Rochester, University of Rochester Medical Center, United Way of Greater Rochester, Monroe Community College Foundation, and St. John Fisher College.

A leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke is lack of physical activity. Research has found that individuals may gain two hours of life expectancy for every one hour of regular, vigorous exercise they do. The American Heart Association recommends moving more and sitting less throughout the day, and that some physical activity is better than none. Adults who sit less and do any amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity gain some health benefits.

“Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Everyone knows someone with heart disease” said Shultz. “In fact, within the last year, one of my employees had an awful scare when her husband suffered a sudden stroke at the age of 47. It was through the American Heart Association’s tireless efforts around heart disease and stroke research that led to the life-saving medicine her husband was administered. This is one of the many reasons I take particular pride in my co-chair role. I have the opportunity to help promote health and wellness. I want to see these statistics in our community get better.”


In her role as founder, president & CEO of Mirror Show Management, Shultz earned numerous awards in the exhibit and experience design industry, including being Rochester’s Top Workplaces to live five times in a row.

The 2019 Rochester Heart Walk & Run is April 6th at Frontier Field. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. The Walk & Run begin at 9 a.m.

To learn more about the 2019 Rochester Heart Walk & Run, or to find out about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Adam Cipolla at 585. 797.9733, adam.cipolla@heart.org, or go to www.RochesterHeartWalkRun.org.

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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a leading force for a world of longer, healthier lives. With nearly a century of lifesaving work, the Dallas-based association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for all. We are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their heart health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, advocate for stronger public health policies, and share lifesaving resources and information. Connect with us on heart.org/rochesterny, Facebook, Twitter or by calling #585.371.3114.

For Media Inquiries:
Jackie Mangione, Regional Communications Director
(phone) #585.967.7749 (email) Jackie.Mangione@heart.org.

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