Jennifer McCarthy
The Southern Maine Heart Walk, which is the largest fundraising event for the American Heart Association in Maine, is scheduled for May 17, 2020 in Portland. In addition to a choice of a 1-mile or 5K walk, the event will also feature a timed 5K run.
Dr. Douglas Sawyer, Chief Academic Officer at Maine Medical Center, and Jennifer McCarthy, Chief Operating Officer at Maine Medical Center, have stepped up to lead the 2020 Heart Walk. Their committee has set a goal to raise $450,000 through corporate donations and walk teams.
Dr. Douglas Sawyer
“By working together with the American Heart Association, companies can have an enormous impact on the health and well-being of employees and their families. I am proud to join Dr. Doug Sawyer in leading the 2020 Southern Maine Heart Walk to help promote the benefits of healthy eating and active lifestyles,” said McCarthy. “Heart disease is still the number-one health threat to women and men, so I hope that all of us can be messengers – to educate others to live a healthier life, and to better understand the symptoms of heart attacks and strokes.”
“Without the American Heart Association, we might not have the guidelines in place to treat heart and stroke victims,” said Dr. Douglas Sawyer. “EMS teams might not follow best-practice procedures to keep patients alive during their journey to the emergency room. Families and coworkers might not know how to save lives through Hands-Only CPR, nor recognize the warning signs of a stroke.”
The Association is the world’s leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health. Currently, the Association funds over $1.1 million in cardiovascular research at Maine institutions.
The event will begin with a celebratory kick-off at 8:30 AM at AAA of Northern New England’s parking lot, hosted by Channel 8 WMTW’s Tracy Sabol and WPOR FM’s Courtney Ross. Activities will include Hands-Only CPR demonstrations, a survivor speaker, stroke prevention information, and educational exhibits aimed at inspiring people to improve their health. The Kids Zone will feature a face painter, balloon artist and juggler. Participants will then embark on a walk or a timed 5K run around Back Cove before coming back to the celebration area.
Members of the Heart Walk Executive Leadership Team include: Jeanine Chesley, New England Rehabilitation Hospital; Christine Haslam, Aetna; Robert Hatem, Hannaford Supermarkets: Mike Simonds, UNUM; Stephen Smith, LL Bean; Scott Tompkins, Cianbro; and Linda Whitten, AAA of Northern New England.
Heart Walk sponsors confirmed to date include: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield; Cianbro, Gorham Savings Bank; Maine Medical Center; MEMIC; and New England Rehabilitation Hospital.
For more information and to register on-line for the walk or 5K run, visit SouthernMaineHeartWalk.org. You may also call Katie Rooks at (207) 289-2388 or e-mail her at [email protected].