This Saturday morning more than 10,000 people are expected to lace up their sneakers and join us for the Kentuckiana Heart Walk at Waterfront Park. It’s a time when family and friends join together to celebrate the victories we’ve won against heart disease and stroke, and to also honor the loved ones we’ve lost.
This year we have set a very aggressive goal to raise a record $1 million to fight heart disease and stroke – our number one and number four killers. Today I’d like to thank each one of our volunteers and company partners for raising money to reach this incredible achievement. I’m also excited to share that the funds raised for the American Heart Association through the Heart Walk stay right here to support our community.
So where does the money you raise go?
• Cardiovascular research is the backbone of our mission, and I’m pleased to share that the funds you raise go to support research both here in Louisville and across the Commonwealth. In fact, more than $1.5 Million was recently awarded by the American Heart Association to fund new cardiovascular research in Kentucky.
• The best way to stop heart disease is to beat it before it starts. That’s why the American Heart Association invests resources across Kentuckiana to educate our community on how to lower our risk. We work through schools, businesses and churches to teach people how to choose healthier eating options and how to add extra physical activity into their day. We have taught thousands of people in our community about knowing their heart health numbers, and it’s also our goal to teach everyone in our community how to perform Hands-Only CPR.
• The money you raise also helps push policy in Frankfort to make all of Kentucky healthier. Thanks to past efforts funded by you, all newborn babies in Kentucky will soon be screened for congenital heart defects before they leave the hospital. We are also working on policy to make all of Kentucky smoke-free, and it is our goal to soon have CPR taught to every high school student.
So when you give to the American Heart Association, know that you are giving back to those you love. If you are not already involved in our mission, I encourage you to come to the Heart Walk this Saturday and see how you can get plugged in. For more information, visit www.heart.org/KentuckianaHeartWalk.
Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to seeing you at the Heart Walk.
Sincerely,
Tom Partridge
President & CEO, Fifth Third Bank (Kentucky)
2013 Kentuckiana Heart Walk Chairman
