Hampton Roads Heart Walks invite participants to reconnect for heart health

The American Heart Association encourages Hampton Roads to boost mental and physical health while funding community wellness.

The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all, is inviting Hampton Roads back to the Heart Walk. This is the organization’s premier event to boost physical and mental health through healthy habits while supporting the lifesaving mission.

On Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 9 a.m. Peninsula area Heart Walk participants and teams are invited to Outlook Beach at Fort Monroe to celebrate heart and stroke survivors, raise lifesaving funds, and encourage physical activity. On Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 9 a.m. Southside area Heart Walk participants and teams are invited to Chesapeake City Park to do the same. This year’s Heart Walk is led by Reese Jackson, President & CEO of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare.

“Our community collaborates when there’s a worthy cause, and Heart Walk is an excellent reason to come together to promote heart health and overall well-being while supporting the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission,” Jackson says. “Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, and with a healthy lifestyle and 30-60 minutes of daily exercise most everyone can reduce their risk.”

To register, visit hamptonroadsheartwalk.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. Participants can follow the festivities through the event hashtag, #HRHeartwalk.

The Hampton Roads Heart Walk is sponsored by Bon Secours, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, Sentara Healthcare, Optima Health, Virginia Premiere, HII, Newport News Shipbuilding, Riverside Health System, ADP, and PRA Group with media sponsors WNSB Hot 91.1, WAVY-TV 10 and Fox43.

The Hampton Roads Heart Walk is the signature event of the American Heart Association’s Heart Challenge program which is designed to help companies positively impact employee overall health and well-being. The program is anchored in a series of customizable workplace events that inspires employees to be more engaged, reconnect with colleagues, get in their physical activity, support a great cause, and have a lot of fun doing it.

“When you support and participate in the Hampton Roads Heart Walk, you are helping to ensure that more cardiovascular research is funded. You’re ensuring that more hospitals administer the highest standards of care, and that fewer people suffer and die from heart disease and stroke,” said Andy Spicknall of Bon Secours. “With every step you take and every dollar you raise, you are building a legacy that will save and improve lives. Bon Secours is happy to support the American Heart Association Hampton Roads Heart Walk as the Healthy for Good platform sponsor.”

The funds raised from the Hampton Roads Heart Walk go towards research, advocacy, CPR training and to promote better health in support of the Association’s 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal, reducing barriers to health care access and quality. Visit www2.heart.org to learn more.

For more information and to register to attend the Hampton Roads Heart Walks, contact Stephanie Corio at stephanie.corio@heart.org or 757.628.2603.