More than 1,500 runners gathered on Marietta Square on Oct. 22 to take part in the Cobb Heart Walk to support the American Heart Association and its mission to fight heart disease and strokes, the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of Americans.
Alison Bartlett did not think of herself as a candidate of a stroke, but became a part of this cause after she suffered from one in March. “I had no family history and there are no symptoms that could have warned me that I would have a stroke,” said Bartlett. "It's important that people become more aware of this disease and talk to their doctors because I certainly did not think I would be someone who would get this disease." Bartlett’s team, The Pacemakers, was led by her daughter Rachel and raised more than $2,000.
The Greater Atlanta area has an eight percent survival rate from strokes and heart diseases making the message of preventative care an urgent one. “We want people to know that it is never too late to start down a healthier path,” said event co-chair Tony Britton, senior vice president of Community & Southern Bank. “Our hope is that the 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 5K was one of the two Heart Walk events hosted by the American Heart Association raising more $200,000. The second 5K took place Oct. 29 at Turner Field with more than 10,000 runners. Along with spreading awareness and encouraging the community to become proactive with their health, the American Heart Association aims to decrease death related to heart disease and strokes by 20 percent by the year 2020.
To get involved with the American Heart Association, visit www.heart.org
In Other News: On Oct. 17, Dan McWhorter, of Norcross, Matt Cooper, of Sugar Hill, and Brandon Cromer of Duluth, built a sidewalk for J.P. Mendelovitz, a terminally ill child confined to a wheelchair, near his home in Suwanee. The three volunteers are involved with the North Fulton-based Act Together Ministries, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of children in distress, strengthening families, and inspiring the next generation to serve.
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