Over 7,000 attended 2017 Rochester Heart Walk & Run at Frontier Field raising $748,000 up from previous year

Over 7,000 individuals participated in the Rochester Heart Walk & Run event Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Frontier Field to support heart disease and stroke research and programs of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA). The Rochester Heart Walk & Run is one celebratory day in the year-round opportunity to take those small steps towards a healthier Rochester.  This year marks the 27th year the Rochester Heart Walk has taken place. It was the second year of the 5K Run timed by Fleet Feet Sports/YellowJacket Racing presented by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. According to the American Heart Association, a healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons in the fight against heart disease – the No. 1 killer. The AHA recommends 30 minutes of physical activity each day to prevent heart disease and stroke.

 

20170422_084606  The Heart Walk & Run, co-chaired by Lauren Dixon & Mike Schwabl, raised $748,000 – up over last year which raised $702,000. Money raised will fund critical research, education, advocacy, community programs and awareness. This year Dixon Schwabl presented a media challenge to local media. The challenge invited members of our community to join their walk teams in support of the Rochester American Heart Association Walk & Run. The campaign kicked off in February and ran until event day, April 22nd. The winners will be announced within one week of the event date in a live video by the Dixon Schwabl social media team.  Lauren Dixon & Mike Schwabl also announced the Chair for 2018 Rochester Heart Walk & Run, Marty Mucci, CEO of Paychex.

 

Participants celebrated a healthy lifestyle by walking or running with co-workers, friends and family and learned about their risk for heart disease and stroke. Volunteers from Rochester Regional Health and UR Medicine were on hand to do blood pressure screenings. Blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke. Stroke is the No. 5 killer nationally and the No.3 killer in Rochester.

Other activities included a KidZone, UR Medicine LIFE IS WHY photo op area, Hands-Only CPR training, a health expo and healthy snacks & water by Wegmans.

Each year a local honoree is celebrated with the Lifestyle Change award, sponsored by CooperVision.  Jerry Serafine, owner of 2Vine restaurant was selected from nominations submitted.

LisaFawcett&JerrySerafine2017RocHWR  “Jerry himself had a heart attack in December 2016 and not only made changes in his life so that he can be around longer for his son and family, but revamped the menu at 2Vine restaurant, substituting small changes that make his customer choices healthier,” Lisa Fawcett, of CooperVision said. “He is the perfect example of why CooperVision is committed to health and wellness through our corporate culture and local initiatives,” Fawcett added.

Emcees Adam Chodak of WROC-TV and Steve Hausmann of WBEE 92.5 Entercom were on hand.

Donations are still being accepted online at www.Rochesterheartwalkrun.org. For more information, visit www.heart.org/RochesterNY or by calling the American Heart Association at 585.371.3113. The Rochester Heart Walk & Run is sponsored nationally by Subway, and locally by Dixon Schwabl, UR Medicine, Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, Rochester Regional Health, CooperVision, Wegmans Food Markets, Bergmann Associates, SWBR Architects, Entercom, WBEE 92.5, WROC-TV News 8, LVW Advisors, Paychex, Simcona Electronics, Alesco Advisors, CompuMail and ER Select.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jackie Mangione, Regional Communications Director, American Heart Association (Rochester, Buffalo/Niagara)

C/585.967.7749   E/[email protected]

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About the Rochester American Heart Association   The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers in Rochester. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved with the Rochester affiliate, call 1-585-371-3112, visit the local website www.heart.org/RochesterNY.  Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

 

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