The American Heart Association Walk, or Heart Walk, promotes physical movement as a major tool to combat heart disease and stroke. Walks take place annually in many communities, and your walking efforts are sponsored by donations from family, friends or coworkers. In 2010, over 1 million walkers from communities and workplaces will participate in almost 350 individually scheduled Heart Walks. These walks may be accompanied by other healthy lifestyle events.
Origin
The Heart Walk, also known as the Start! Heart Walk, is a component of a larger effort to motivate sedentary Americans to exercise. This Start! movement seeks to reduce preventable illness and health care costs through increased exercise. Human resource managers and companies with exercise-friendly cultures have been encouraged to lead the way.
Participation
You can participate in the Heart Walk in several ways. StartTheWalk.org provides more information. Locate a walk in your community, and sign up with your friends and family. If a walk doesn't exist, you can start one.
You can also organize a Virtual Heart Walk. For this option, use email and online team-building tools to create a Virtual Heart Walk community. Fundraising suggestions are also provided.
Finally, your company can form a Heart Walk Team. Organizational planning tools are provided, along with ideas for recruiting company vendors and other business partners.
Recognition
The Start! Heart Walk awards prizes for individuals and teams achieving one of 10 fundraising milestones. National recognition is also given to outstanding fundraising efforts completed by individual walkers. Companies receiving the most donations in a Start! Walk city, along with national firms that coordinate efforts in all their facilities, are also recognized.
Proceeds
Heart Walk proceeds support the American Heart Association's research and public education programs. The organization spends approximately three-quarters of its funding in these areas. Professional education and training, along with community service courses such as CPR and first aid, are also well-documented funding applications.
National Partners
Several national organizations have joined the American Heart Association as Start! Partners. One committed partner, the American Council on Exercise, worked with the American Heart Association to create a customized online walking program called the My Start! Walking Plan. This walking plan can function as a tune-up for a Start! Heart Walk event. Other American Heart Association partners include Exercise TV and "Family Circle" magazine.
Member Comments