The 2012 Tampa Bay Heart Walk was filled with inspiration, excitement, energy and hope. Each year, the Hillsborough County Heart Walk raises funds to fight heart disease and stroke which are the No. 1 and No. 4 killers, and claim more than 813,804 American lives each year. There is no registration fee to participate in the Tampa Bay Heart Walk, although donations are encouraged. Walkers are invited to come early and visit the event’s many local sponsor booths, where there will be information, giveaways and prizes.

  Arriving at the event, walkers are greeted with a light breakfast such as fruits and small appetizer sandwiches. Local charitable organizations such as Wellness Works, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, and even Steve Yzerman, a former retired professional ice hockey player for the Detroit Red Wings and now a Tampa Bay Lightning Manager, were there to show their support. Steve Jerve from WFLA News Channel 8 was also reporting on this event. Aslo attending were the Tampa Bay Lightning Cheerleaders and the Lightning Bug. Dmitriy Khasik, from a non-charitable organization Wellness Works quoted, “It’s our hope that our support of this important event inspires people everywhere to get healthier and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.” The local support of this event was greater this year by 10,000 members over 20111, which resulted in a total of 30,000 people out to support the event. Hillsborough Community College was also one of the proud sponsors of this year’s Heart Walk. HCC students and parents supported the event by wearing light blue shirts. Among the HCC students were heart disease survivor Jimmy Grubbs and his mom, Linda. Walkers are encouraged to walk with friends, family, coworkers and other members of the community.

  With the completion of the walk, sponsor “Subway” feeds walkers with heart-healthy sandwiches and a warm congratulation from their staff. The American Heart Walk promotes increased health education, advocacy for better public policy in important health areas such as anti-smoking laws, and helping communities find ways to eat healthier and stay physically active.
By 2020, The American Heart Association wants to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by at least 20 percent. Changing how we eat and how we react to the simple choices that affect our health can stop heart disease and stroke – two of the deadliest diseases in America.

  The Heart Walk was a fun, rewarding way to promote physical activity and heart-healthy living while raising funds to help save lives from two of the biggest killers, heart disease and stroke.
For more information please contact Andrea Cefalo-Cox via phone at (727) 563-8127 or via email at TampaBayHeartWalk@heart.org