Heart Walk welcomes participation

  • Published
  • By Jeff Murphy
  • 2009 Start! Heart Walk Committee Member
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  With a goal of raising $55,000 to help fight heart disease, the 2009 Start! Heart Walk Committee is continuing to recruit Johnson Countians to serve as team captains, participate as walkers and become corporate sponsors for this year's event. 

The program, which annually draws hundreds of local participants, is planned for Sept. 26 in Warrensburg at Western Missouri Medical Center. 

The Start! Heart Walk is the signature fund-raising event for the American Heart Association, promoting physical activity and heart-healthy living in a fun, family environment. Nationwide, about one million people will participate in walks that will generate dollars for life-saving research, advocacy and educational programs that are aimed at preventing heart disease and stroke, the nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers. It is estimated that nearly 910,000 Americans will die this year from heart-related incidents. 

"Many Heart Walk participants are passionate about the need to raise money for a good cause but their involvement often goes much deeper," said Nick Broeker, an American Heart Association representative and member of the local Heart Walk plannng committee. "It's a way for them to honor those special friends and loved ones who may have been affected by the disease, or perhaps to celebrate their own healthy lifestyle changes. Whatever the reason, this is an issue that touches almost every family."  

Individuals who want to get involved can serve as team leaders, organizing friends, family and co-workers to form a team of walkers. The goal is for each member is to obtain contributions to support their involvement in the walk. At the end of the event, special recognition will be given to those teams which raise the most money for the fight against heart disease. 

"Corporate sponsorship also plays a significant role in the success of each year's Heart Walk," Broeker said. "Local businesses and organizations may contribute gifts toward the event. We're very grateful for the corporate support we have already received toward this year's event, and hope we can match or exceed last year's total corporate sponsorships of $18,000." 

He noted that Heart Walk committee members are making individual contacts with businesses, organizations and individuals to encourage their participation, however, people who want to get involved or simply learn more have an opportunity to do so. The committee is chaired by Warrensburg resident Marcy Green. For more information about the 2009 Start! Heart Walk, visit the web at www.johnsoncountyheartwalk.org, call 660-238-7316 or email nick.broeker@heart.org. 

Additionally, if you're interested in forming a team for Whiteman AFB or joining and existing Whiteman Team, please contact Heart Walk planning committee member Chief Master Sgt. Bill Hammerli at (660) 687-3598.