Maine’s Heart Walk, which is the largest fundraising event for the American Heart Association in Maine, is scheduled for Sunday, May 15th in Portland. This year’s event will be back in person with a kick-off celebration starting at 9 AM at the Back Cove Trail parking lot on Preble Street, hosted by Channel 8 WMTW’s Kathleen Jordan and 101.9 POR’s Courtney Ross.
Heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death in Maine. The Association is the world’s leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health. The Heart Walk will kick off with a morning celebration that will include a local heart disease survivor speaker, the 2022 Heart Walk Chair, award presentations, and useful prevention information aimed at inspiring people to improve their heart and brain health.
Steve deCastro, President and CEO of Gorham Savings Bank and 2022 Heart Walk Chair, has set a goal with his committee to raise $450,000 through corporate donations and walk teams. Funds raised help fund scientific research. Currently, the Association is funding two research grants right at Maine Medical Center Research Institute in Scarborough.
LL Bean President Steve Smith and long-time top Heart Walk fundraiser, Rob Hatem of Hannaford
“I, like so many others, have had friends, co-workers and even family members impacted by heart disease,” said deCastro. “We have to do all we can to help people understand the risks, and to take steps to lower high blood pressure and prevent strokes and heart attacks. The Heart Walk is a wonderful way to help accomplish these goals and I’m very pleased to chair this year’s event. I encourage everyone to join us in this fight.”
The Maine Heart Walk is sponsored by Central Maine Power, Gorham Savings Bank, L.L. Bean, MaineHealth, Martin’s Point Health Care, MEMIC, Spectrum Healthcare Partners, TideSmart, Wells Fargo, WEX, and Wyman’s. Media sponsors are Channel 8 WMTW and 101.9 POR.
To register for the Heart Walk, visit MaineHeartWalk.org. From there, participants can stay up to date by downloading the Heart Walk mobile app and encourage friends and family to join in via e-mail or on social media. On the Heart Walk day, everyone is encouraged to wear their Heart Walk shirt and post pictures and videos to capture their activity using #MEHeartWalk.