FIRST COAST HEART WALK RUNNERS LACE UP TO CHANGE LIVES

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, hosted the 2019 First Coast Heart Walk on Sept. 21. Since the inception of the Heart Walk, mortality rates from cardiovascular disease and stroke have plummeted by 45 percent. Each walker and each donation help to transform health statistics into lives saved.

This year the largest number of First Coast residents ever – over 25,000 people – laced up their sneakers and joined together to raise a record $2.1 million to fight heart disease and stroke.  The Heart Walk’s mission is to fund research to cure heart disease and stroke. The walk is among 300 Heart Walks held in communities across the nation. Nearly 1 million people walk each year for a singular mission, to cure heart disease and stroke.

“Today showed what’s possible when people come together for good, “said Tom Van Berkel, CEO of The Main Street America Group and chair of this year’s First Coast Heart Walk. I was blown away to see the incredible support of our community in the fight to end heart disease and stroke.”

Stein Mart was recognized as the organization that raised the most funds – $580,000 – for the event, followed by Southeastern Grocers at $250,000 and the Main Street America Group at $225,000.