Every 40 seconds, someone in America dies from cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, stroke and congenital heart defects. This makes it the No. 1 killer in the U.S. Medicine can do a lot to help, but the most powerful weapon is prevention. By simply lacing up your sneakers for 30 minutes a day, you can reduce your risk, says the American Heart Association (AHA), which hosts the 2016 Metro St. Louis Heart Walk May 14 at Busch Stadium.
“Heart disease is 80 percent preventable, and the walk not only is a fundraising event for AHA, but it also fits into our mission of promoting healthy lifestyles,” says Jennifer Jaeger, the organization’s executive director. The AHA recommends that people get 150 minutes a week of physical activity, with walking its No. 1 recommended activity. “Everyone can do it, and you don’t have to have access to special equipment,” Jaeger notes.
A two-pronged approach to battling cardiovascular disease—on both the medical and lifestyle fronts—is the core mission of the AHA, which was established in 1924 and brings together volunteers, health care providers, donors and survivors in its cause. In 2014-2015, the nonprofit raised more than $133 million for research on life-saving surgical innovations and drugs. Research funded by AHA has contributed to discoveries of CPR, effective drugs, p
acemakers and bypass surgeries, and currently, the organization is investing more than $5 million in studies at local research institutions.
By 2020, it seeks to improve the cardiovascular health of Americans by 20 percent while also reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent. “Deaths from cardiovascular diseases are decreasing, but the risk factors, such as obesity and diabetes, are increasing,” Jaeger notes.
Signature events like the annual Heart Walk are vital to the organization’s success. More than 10,000 walkers are expected to participate this year, and organizers hope to raise more than $1.7 million. The 2016 Metro St. Louis Heart Walk is sponsored locally by the Centene Charitable Foundation and nationally by Subway restaurants. Rone Baldwin, Centene Corporation executive vice president of markets, is the 2016 chair. Weber Chevrolet is sponsoring the St. Louis My Heart, My Life campaign, which seeks to change the way we think about our health.
“The Heart Walk is one of the American Heart Association’s premier fundraising events,” Jaeger says. One major factor in its success, she says, is local corporate and community involvement. This year, 130 companies will participate, about 30 more than in 2015. Besides encouraging its employees to sign up for the walk, corporations also can get involved through the nonprofit’s Executives With Heart campaign, chaired in 2016 by Brian Donaldson, an Edward Jones principal. “This is targeted toward local executives who agree to raise $3,000 or more for the Heart Walk,” Jaeger says, adding that more than 60 executives are participating this year, an increase of almost 50 percent from 2015. “Whenever employees see their leadership commit to a cause, they get behind it as well,” she adds.
Pictured: Executives with Heart participants raise funds for the Heart Walk campaign.
Photo: Tim Parker Photography
American Heart Association hosts the 2016 Metro St. Louis Heart Walk May 14 at Busch Stadium. The event is locally sponsored by Centene Charitable Foundation and nationally by Subway restaurants. Pictured on the cover, standing: Rone Baldwin, Centene Corporation; Kyle Anderson, Edward Jones; Doug Knowling, RGA ; seated: Ozzie Smith. For more information or to form a team or make a donation, call 314.692.5662 or visit metrostlouisheartwalk.org.
