Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WORMLEYSBURG — The American Heart Association invites local workplaces, communities and individuals to help raise awareness and funds to fight heart disease and stroke, the nation’s number one and number five killers, by joining the 2015 Northeast PA Heart Walks, sponsored locally by Cross Valley Federal Credit Union.
The first walk will be held Saturday, April 25 at Nay Aug Park in Scranton and the second on Saturday, May 30 at Kirby Park in Kingston. On the day of the walk, registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk steps off at 10 a.m.
The Northeast PA Heart Walk is a family and pet-friendly event that includes a 5k non-competitive fitness walk, prizes and activities for participants of all ages. Walkers who raise a minimum of $100 receive a Heart Walk t-shirt and the opportunity to earn additional prizes based on their fundraising levels. Money raised at the Heart Walk supports the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
The 2015 Northeast PA Heart Walk is co-chaired by Dr. Mark Bernardi, director of the cardiac catheterization lab at Geisinger Wyoming Valley and Caroline Graham, MSN, CRNP, an advance practice provider of Geisinger Cardiology at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Pearsall Heart Hospital. It is sponsored nationally by Subway Restaurants and locally by Cross Valley Federal Credit Union, Geisinger Health System, Commonwealth Health and BlueCross of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
A leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke is a lack of physical activity. Walking is one easy way that most people can take steps toward a healthier lifestyle and fight our greatest health threat. Physical activity is important for overall wellness, but about 80 percent of adults do not get enough activity to maintain good health.
Regular physical activity can contribute toward lowering an individual’s risk for heart disease and stroke, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing or controlling blood pressure, raising “good” HDL cholesterol, reducing risk for diabetes and some types of cancer, better sleep and increased energy. The American Heart Association recommends that adults get a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity at least five days per week, or a total of 150 minutes.
For more information about the 2015 Northeast PA Heart Walks or to sign up to participate, visit heart.org/northeastpawalk or contact Diane McGee at 570-690-3839.