The American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, is proud to announce Catherine M. Bassett, director of communications for Mountaire Farms – the nation’s fourth largest poultry company, will serve as the chair of the 2023 Southern Delaware Heart Walk.
The Heart Walk will take place at the Bandstand in Rehoboth Beach on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. The funds raised support the American Heart Association, whose mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, in Delaware and throughout the country. To register, visit www.heart.org/SouthernDEWalk.
Catherine Bassett
“At Mountaire Farms, we care deeply about the health of our employees and our community, and I am honored to serve as chair of the Southern Delaware Heart Walk,” Bassett said. “With the help of the American Heart Association, we’ve been able to provide important training to employees in hands-only CPR and provide blood pressure cuffs for employees to monitor their health at home. We are proud that every dollar raised through the Heart Walk will fight heart disease and stroke, and help save lives.”
The 2023 Southern Delaware Heart Walk is an opportunity for participants to walk in honor of those who suffer from heart disease and stroke, and to raise funds for vital research, Hands-Only CPR training, medical breakthroughs and more. Heart disease is the nation’s No. 1 cause of death, claiming nearly a million American lives each year, more than all forms of cancer combined. Stroke is the fifth cause of death in the U.S., the third cause of death in Delaware, and a leading cause of long-term disability.
The Heart Walk encourages Delawareans to make healthy choices including proper nutrition and adding physical activities, such as walking, to their daily routine. This is especially important for those living in our local communities where 78% of the population does not consume enough fruits and vegetables and 25%report being inactive.
“We are thrilled to have Cathy Bassett serve as chair of the 2023 Southern Delaware Heart Walk,” said Shabool Henry, executive director of American Heart Association Delaware. “With Cathy’s leadership, we are confident we will achieve the goals for our Heart Walk, which support the advancement of transformational research as well as educational programs in our local community.”
Bassett began her career as a reporter at The Daily Times, in Salisbury, MD and served as communications director and district director for Congressman Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-Maryland-1st) for 16 years. In 2008, she started her own public relations and marketing business, CMBassett Consulting, LLC, and worked with clients including Delmarva Power, the Delmarva Zoological Society, Allen Harim and the Ocean City Air Show.
Bassett joined the poultry industry full-time in 2017, which led her to Mountaire Farms in the fall of 2018. A graduate of George Washington University, Bassett currently serves on several boards including the Board of Directors of the Delaware State Chamber, the Delaware Manufacturing Association, and DEMEP (Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership). She’s also a founding member of Blessings for Badges, a group of volunteers who cook and deliver hot holiday meals for first responders who must work on Thanksgiving Day.
Mountaire Farms is a proud local sponsor of the 2023 Southern Delaware Heart Walk. Bayhealth is the Premiere Signature Sponsor and Beebe Healthcare is the Signature Sponsor.
The 2023 Southern Delaware Heart Walk will feature a three-mile walk in Rehoboth Beach and a one-mile survivor route. The event will feature information on heart health and stroke prevention, sponsor tables with resources and giveaways, healthy fruit and snacks, and live entertainment. The 2023 Southern Delaware Heart Walk will take all precautions and measures to adhere to current Delaware state COVID-19 regulations.
For more information about the 2023 Heart Walk or how to get involved, visit www.heart.org/SouthernDEWalk or email Laura Loro at [email protected].