Sarah Stevens, left, Senior Development Director, American Heart Association, and Daniel Jones, Managing Director, Northwestern Mutual and Chairman of the 2017 America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk.
Utica, June 19, 2017 – As we finished out another season of America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk with our Volunteer Awards Breakfast early this month, I wanted to look back at my time as chairman of this incredible event. It has been an honor to lead the charge fighting heart disease and stroke in our community.
Before I signed on as the chairman, I already had an idea of what the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association does because I had served on the board. However, I wanted a new way to contribute. So, when the opportunity to become the chairman came up, I jumped on it.
As the chairman of America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk, it was my job to help secure sponsorships and raise the funds that become our impressive $1 million total. It’s a big job! The Heart Run & Walk is a big even by any standards, and getting a glimpse behind the curtain at all the work that goes into it made me appreciate it even more.
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association says, “life is why.” For me, my family is why this work has been so important to me. My nephew had heart surgery at four months old. Because of my family’s experience, I understand how important it is to help save lives and prevent heart disease and stroke.
Throughout my time as chairman, I was lucky to have support from my company, Northwestern Mutual. I worked with my colleagues in different markets to get them involved. Northwestern Mutual sponsored the Heart Run & Walk, and our team did better than ever!
This year, I had the chance to oversee something really special. Our community stepped up in a big way. When Mother Nature put a damper on Heart Run & Walk Weekend with frigid temperatures, we put the call out to you to help us reach our $1 million goal. For the first time in 17 years, we didn’t reach it at the event. You answered the call in a big way, and I was proud to announce in April that we did in fact surpass the $1 million mark, thanks to you.
Thank you all for making my year as chairman a successful, memorable one! – Dan Jones, Managing Director, Northwestern Mutual