The Central Maine Heart Walk, which is the largest fundraising event for the American Heart Association in Lewiston, is scheduled for April 28, 2019. The event, to be held at Simard-Payne Park, will feature a 1-mile walk (with longer options available), healthy snacks, and fun family activities.
The event will begin with a celebratory kick-off at 8:30 AM at Simard-Payne Park, hosted by Channel 8 WMTW’s Tracy Sabol and WPOR FM’s Courtney Ross. Activities will include Hands-Only CPR demonstrations, a survivor speaker, heart disease and stroke prevention information, and educational exhibits aimed at inspiring people to improve their health.
The Heart Walk’s executive leadership committee has set a goal to raise $150,000 through corporate donations and walk teams. This volunteer committee includes: Beckie Swanson Conrad of the Lewiston Auburn Chamber of Commerce; Jeff Garrison of Central Maine Healthcare; Valerie Marshall of L.L. Bean; Niki Morton of Casco Bay Food and Beverage; and Amy Kivus-Rouleau of Spectrum Healthcare Partners.
Dollars raised at the Heart Walk will fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat heart disease and stroke. The Association is the world’s leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health. Currently, the Association funds over $1.3 million in cardiovascular research at Maine institutions.
Additional local Association volunteers include Dr. Dervilla McCann and Kristine Chaisson. Dr. McCann, Chief of Population Health and Vice President of Provider Affairs with Central Maine HealthCare, currently serves as the Association’s Board President for Maine. Chaisson, the Director of Perioperative & Invasive Cardiovascular Services at Central Maine Medical Center, is a new member of the Association’s Maine Board of Directors.
Heart Walk sponsors include: Central Maine HealthCare, Spectrum Healthcare Partners, the Sun Journal, Channel 8 WMTW, and WPOR 101.9.
For more information and to register on-line, visit CentralMaineHeartWalk.org or contact Shelly Afthim at (207) 289-2384 or [email protected].