Over 80 attendees & 50 companies helped kick-off the 2019 Rochester Heart Walk & Run

Rochester, NY (November 19, 2018) – – The Rochester American Heart Association kicked off their 2019 Heart Walk & Run campaign with an Executive Breakfast at Oak Hill Country Club on Friday November 16th. Each year the breakfast is held to engage more interest in being part of a movement to help build a healthier Rochester community. Despite the large morning snow accumulation, more than 80 representatives from 50 local businesses and area organizations gathered to learn about the walk & 5K run, year-round educational opportunities and fundraising opportunities culminating in the April 6th event at Frontier Field.

Over 80 attendees & 50 companies helped kick-off the 2019 Rochester Heart Walk & Run

Dan Burns, co-chair Heart Walk & Run

Co-chairs, Dan Burns, President of M&T Bank’s Rochester Region and Donna Shultz, President & CEO of Mirror Show Management, inspired and motivated the room of executives with reasons why they wanted to lead the campaign. Andy Raus, Vice President at Bergmann Associates shared what it was like to work with the American Heart Association for a decade and Inga Grote-Ebbs of CooperVision shared details about why they sponsor the Lifestyle Change Award and that applications are now being accepted. The Lifestyle Change award recognizes local individuals who have made positive changes, big or small, to improve their quality of life and health.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Tarun Bhalla, Neurosurgeon with UR Medicine, who brought attention to the issue of stroke, the No. 5 killer nationwide, but the No. 3 killer in the Rochester area. His talk provided education on what a stroke is, and how to prevent it as well as details about the new Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU), only the 13th in the country.

Over 80 attendees & 50 companies helped kick-off the 2019 Rochester Heart Walk & Run

Dr. Tarun Bhalla, UR Medicine

Dr. Bhalla said the mobile unit recently had set a record – treating a patient suffering a stroke with clot-busting drugs in only 9 minutes after it arrived on the scene! While the MSU was supposed to be at the event, it had to leave for 2 stoke-related 911 calls during the breakfast hour.

Over 80 attendees & 50 companies helped kick-off the 2019 Rochester Heart Walk & Run

Cressida Dixon, stroke survivor

Cressida Dixon, an Estate and Trust attorney at Bond, Schoeneck & King, shared her experience of having a stroke at age 38. Fully recovered, she credited her recovery to the research and science of the American Heart Association. Currently the American Heart Association funds $3.1 million in cardiovascular and stroke-related research in the Rochester community.

The 2019 Rochester Heart Walk & Run is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Frontier Field and will involve an estimated 8,000 walkers from Rochester companies, friends and family teams. The goal is to raise $800,000 to help fund research programs, education, awareness and advocacy programs in the Rochester community.

Over 80 attendees & 50 companies helped kick-off the 2019 Rochester Heart Walk & Run

M&T Bank, NY Beef Council, Paychex & UR Medicine Vendors

For more information about the 2019 Rochester Heart Walk & Run, visit www.RochesterHeartWalkRun.org or call Adam Cipolla, Corporate Relations Director at 585.797.9733. The 2019 Rochester Heart Walk & Run is locally sponsored by M&T Bank, Mirror Show Management, UR Medicine, Rochester Regional Health, CooperVision, Paychex, Bonduelle, Excellus, Bergmann Associates, Dixon Schwabl, Harris Beach, Wegmans, iHeart Radio, New York Beef Council, RCare, Inc., Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher College, Workers United Rochester Regional Joint Board and Xceed Financial Credit Union.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a leading force for a world of longer, healthier lives. With nearly a century of lifesaving work, the Dallas-based association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for all. We are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their heart health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, advocate for stronger public health policies, and share lifesaving resources and information. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling #585.371.3114.

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