Greater Orlando Heart Walk: September 7

Over 18,000 participants are expected to attend the Greater Orlando Heart Walk on Saturday, Sept. 7, to benefit the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association. Walkers will unite to create hope, inspire change and celebrate at a new location– the University of Central Florida at Memory Mall.

This year, the American Heart Association and volunteer leadership has a fundraising goal of $1,500,000, hoping to beat last year’s remarkable total of $1,323,519, making it the largest one-day fundraiser in Central Florida.

Each year, 1.2 million Americans will suffer a coronary attack and 700,000 will have a stroke. By adopting a lifestyle of physical activity, individuals can reduce their healthcare costs, increase their productivity and improve their overall quality of life and longevity.

WHO:   Combining fitness and philanthropy, this annual walk brings together corporate sponsors, walk teams, individual walkers, survivors of heart disease and stroke and lifestyle change heroes who are all taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle while raising funds to combat heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 4 leading killers, respectively, of American men and women.

Speakers and special guests include:

• ·         Hunter Kemper, four-time Olympic triathlete, recent winner of the Chicago Triathlon, who is an Orlando native will walk with his father who survived a heart attack and major bypass surgery.
• ·         Dr. Deborah German, VP of Medical Affairs and Dean of the College of Medicine, UCF, and member of the American Heart Association’s Board of Directors.
• ·         The Fox Sports Florida Girls
• ·         Cardiologists, medical professionals and high-level community volunteers.

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 7 – festivities start at 7 a.m., the walk kicks off at 8 a.m. at the University of Central Florida at Memory Mall – 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32816.

It is best to arrive before 7:30 a.m. to avoid road closures and difficulty parking.

Festivities include giveaways, entertainment,  a tribute to survivors, pre-walk warm-up and more.