2014 Milwaukee Heart Walk & Fun Run brings a whole new look

(MILWAUKEE) – The American Heart Association invited the public to Veterans Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront, Sunday, September 28, 2014 for the Milwaukee Heart Walk & Fun Run. With interactive exhibits, health screenings, exercise demonstrations and healthy snacks, this event had something for people of all ages. Everyone had the chance to learn how to take control of their heart health and help others to do the same.
Many attendees had a deeply personal and emotional reason for attending the walk. Lorena Alfageme shared the near-death story of her daughter, Valeria. One of our Top Walkers, Andy Schaser of Thrivent Financial, received a heart transplant just four months ago. GE had a large team which was dedicated to one of their own, Charlene Grabowski, who recently suffered a cardiac event.
Attendees were asked to help us break a world record for the most people jumping rope simultaneously… while wearing duck costumes! This was a tribute to “Quacky” and his friends, the very successful Jump Rope For Heart incentive program. Also, in the Kids Zone, people had the chance to hold an actual heart thanks to Aurora Health Care. This year’s Walk featured our largest Kids Zone ever and a new Pets Zone, too. Gospel artist Marcus “Elder Mac” McFarlin performed the National Anthem. The Milwaukee native recently won the American Heart Association’s national Most Powerful Voices Contest.
Eighty percent of heart disease and stroke can be prevented by quitting smoking, exercising more and eating healthier. The event featured several booths designed to help people get active. Walkers had the chance to walk either a one mile or a three mile route. However, this year there was a 5k Fun Run as well. A healthy diet is important too, so the event featured healthy snacks, fresh fruit and water for everyone.
Attendees got the opportunity to learn the two steps to save a life through Hands-Only CPR. As a result, they can help our You’re the Cure network by advocating for CPR in schools. In addition, a wide variety of the American Heart Association’s programs were on display with opportunities for everyone to get involved.
The Heart Walk is the premier fundraising event for the American Heart Association. Money raised helps fund groundbreaking research, education and training for medical professionals and public education and awareness campaigns. Over the past five years, the American heart Association has spent nearly $14 million funding 128 new research studies in the state of Wisconsin alone.
“We are thrilled with the number of passionate people who put in the time and effort to help us fundraise person-to-person. I’d especially like to thank our Chair, David Carpenter with Chr. Hansen for his leadership over the past year,” said Heart Walk Director Megan Wurz. “So many local companies have gotten behind our efforts as well, sponsoring the event and recruiting huge walk teams. Heart disease and stroke affect 1-in-3 people in every community, regardless of age, gender or race. That’s why it’s great to see the whole community come together to fight these largely preventable diseases.”
Heart Walk is sponsored nationally by Subway Restaurants and locally by Labor/Management Healthcare Coalition, U.S. Bank, GE, Chr. Hansen, Sensient, Wheaton Franciscan Health Care, Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin, ProHealth Care, Novo Nordisk, Evans Transportation Services, Inc. and GMR Marketing.