From Press Release:

More than 4,000 Naples area residents are expected to take steps to improve their heart health on Saturday, November 7th when they participate in the American Heart Association’s Start! Heart Walk at Cambier Park in downtown Naples.

This year’s honorary child survivors are 3 year-old Davee Lester and 6 year-old Michael Madden.

Davee and Michael will be recognized at this Saturday’s event.
The annual event, which raises funds tofight heart disease and stroke, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, begins with fun at our sponsored community tents at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.the walk begins.

The non-competitive, three-mile walk includes over 80 teams of employees from local companies, along with friends and family members of all ages.

“Brisk walking for as little as 30 minutes a day has proven health benefits, such as providing increased energy and circulation, as well as reduced risk of heart disease,” said Geoff Moebius, Event Chairman & CEO of Physicians Regional Healthcare System. “The Start! Heart Walk is designed to help participants understand this critical message, join with others, and generate a renewed commitment to heart-healthy living through walking.”

Did you know?
Each day, nearly 2,400 Americans die from a cardiovascular disease. That’s an average of one death every 37 seconds. A leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke is lack of physical activity. Research has also found that individuals may gain two hours of life expectancy for every one hour of regular, vigorous exercise they do.

“We want people to know that it is never too late to ‘Start!’ down a healthier path,” said Shelly Church, AHA Board Member and Create Hope Cause Sponsor. “Our hope is that the Start! Heart Walk will help jump start a culture of physical activity among participants and increase passion for supporting the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association.”

The annual success of the Collier Start! Heart Walk is due in part to our
Year-Round Cause Sponsors: An Anonymous Donor in Memory of Kyle Fernstrom, Physicians Regional Healthcare System, and Arthrex, in addition to Naples businesses who also sponsored this year’s event- NCH Healthcare System, Moorings Park, and Anchor Health Systems.
Start! Heart Walk is nationally sponsored by Subway Restaurants®, Healthy Choice® and Astra Zeneca.

Last year, more than 1 million walkers raised more than $106 million in 425 Start! Heart Walks across the country.

For information on participating in the Start! Heart Walk, call the American Heart Association at (239) 498-9288 or visit the Collier County Start! Heart Walk website to become a fundraising walker or make a tax-deductible donation at www.collierheartwalk.org.