1,000 expected at the Heart Walk

Who: One thousand people passionate about ending heart disease and stroke will gather to walk and celebrate at the Heart Walk, sponsored by Schneider Electric and the University of Iowa Heart and Vascular Center. Walkers and volunteers include survivors of heart attacks, stroke, heart transplants, congenital heart defects and other forms of heart disease. One young survivors will be honored as the walk's Heart Child; Brekin, age 3, was diagnosed with heart issues months before he was even born and has undergone several surgeries to correct his heart.

Where: Kirkwood Rec Center (6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406). Routes are one or three miles.

When: Saturday, August 6. The pre-event festivities begin at 8:00, opening ceremonies begin at 8:45. The walk begins at 9:00.

What: The free annual event aims to further the American Heart Association's goal of reducing deaths from heart disease and stroke by 20% by 2020 while improving the lives of all Americans by 20% by 2020 as well. Walkers will enjoy a heart-healthy breakfast before completing the one or three-mile loop.

Why: Every day, you make choices, some healthier than others. On August 6, the American Heart Association is asking Iowans to make a healthy choice that will not only impact their own health, but improve the heart health of our entire state. Walking just 30 minutes each day can drastically reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, our country's No. 1 and No. 3 killers. The Heart Walk, sponsored by Schneider Electric and the University of Iowa Heart and Vascular Center, will raise nearly $130,000 to benefit the association's research and education initiatives.

“The money we are raising will help us make Iowa healthier,” says Emily Fritts, 2011 Event Chair and Plant Manager at Schneider Electric. “It will help fund the 104 cardiac-related research projects currently going on at the University of Iowa, allow us to advocate to legislators to pass laws like the Healthy Kids Act and Clean Indoor Air Act, contribute to training thousands of Iowans in Hands-Only CPR and ensure we can work with hospitals to better serve cardiac and stroke patients. The American Heart Association is working to improve our heart health in ways many people aren't even aware of.”

Event Details

• 8:00 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2011

• Kirkwood Rec Center, with 1-mile and 3-mile routes

• Free to participate

• Walkers are asked to raise funds for the American Heart Association

• Visit www.LinnCountyHeartWalk.org or call 312-476-7345 for details and registration