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May 1-2, 2013
HEART & STROKE
HEALTHY LIFE
5
GET INVOLVED
By KARA HANSEN MURPHEY
Pamplin Media Group
A
s the No. 1 killer of
men and women in
the United States,
heart disease takes
an immense toll on people’s
lives. The American Heart
Association’s cause is similar-
ly vast.
Holding events throughout
the year helps bring its mis-
sion to life on a more personal
level.
The annual Heart & Stroke
Walk in May is by far the easi-
est way to become involved.
The event raises money for
research, public education
and other community servic-
es. It also raises awareness of
health issues.
“When you come to the
event, you will experience es-
sentially a huge health fair,”
Day said, noting the walk also
provides opportunities for
health screening, education
about leading a heart-healthy
lifestyle, and a chance to learn
CPR.
“It’s coming out and taking
a walk and raising some
funds for the American Heart
Association,” she said. “Any
regular Joe can do it.”
In the fall, a luncheon shifts
the spotlight to women and
their risks for developing
heart disease.
“A lot of women don’t think
of heart disease,” she said,
but “it’s the No. 1 killer of
women.”
While the annual heart ball
has traditionally carried a
broad message, organizers
hope to narrow the focus to
children’s health in future
years.
“We want it to be more
around children’s health and
getting kids to be more physi-
cally active and to eat healthi-
er,” Day said.
She said the heart associa-
tion also works with compa-
nies throughout the year to
educate employees about
risks as well as methods of
prevention and reversal of
heart disease.
Other ways to get involved:
■
Join the association’s ad-
vocacy network, Yourethe-
cure.org.
■
Volunteer at the Heart &
Stroke Walk on May 18; con-
tact pdxwalk@heart.org or
503-233-0100.
■
Volunteer, sponsor or at-
tend the Go Red For Women
Luncheon on Oct. 10; visit
PDXGoRedLuncheon.org or
call 503-233-0110.
■
Share a personal heart,
stroke or lifestyle change sto-
ry at heart.org/Portland.
■
Join the association’s
speakers bureau to share a
personal story and raise
awareness; call 503-290-3481
for more information.
■
Volunteer for health fairs
and at other community
events; to help, call 503-290-
3481.
■
Like the organization on
Facebook, at Facebook.com/
AHAOregon and follow it on
Twitter, at Twitter.com/AHA-
Oregon.
2013 - 2014 American Heart Association /
American Stroke Association Calendar of Events
AMERICAN STROKE MONTH: MAY
A month to focus on stroke, the No. 4 killer of
Americans and a leading cause of serious, long-
term disability in America. Learn the warning
signs and symptoms and more.
Details:
StrokeAssociation.org
HEART & STROKE WALK: MAY 18
The American Heart Association’s signature 5K
walk honors survivors, remembers lives touched
by heart disease and stroke, and raises money
for research and education in Oregon,
Southwest Washington and across the country.
Registration is free, although many participants
voluntarily raise money for research and com-
munity initiatives. The festival area opens at
8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. at
the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade and
Vancouver Landing in Vancouver, Wash.
More:
PDXHeartWalk.org
CPR / AED AWARENESS WEEK: JUNE 1-7
This week we focus on the importance of learn-
ing CPR. Sadly, 70 percent of Americans may be
helpless to act during a cardiac emergency
because they do not know CPR or their training
has significantly lapsed. And this alarming statis-
tic could hit close to home, because home is
exactly where 80 percent of cardiac arrests
occur. Put very simply: The life you save with CPR
is most likely to be someone you love.
More:
Heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR
GO RED FOR WOMEN LUNCHEON: OCT. 10
The luncheon spreads awareness and raises
funds to fight heart disease and stroke, the No. 1
killer of women.
More:
PDXGoRedLuncheon.org
WORKSITE WELLNESS SUMMIT: SEPT. 4
Join the American Heart Association for an edu-
cational full-day summit for human resources
and wellness professionals about creating heart-
healthy workplaces.
More:
WorksiteWellnessSummit.org
NATIONAL EATING HEALTHY DAY: NOV. 6
Celebrate healthy eating with free resources for
the workplace or home.
More:
Heart.org
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST:
NOVEMBER
Area executives rally together to prioritize corporate
wellness and employee health.
AMERICAN HEART MONTH: FEBRUARY 2014
Join the American Heart Association as we focus on
heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans. Learn
how to take action to prevent heart disease.
More:
Heart.org
NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY: FEB. 7, 2014
Heart disease still kills more women than all can-
cers combined. Be a part of Wear Red Day and
help in the fight against heart disease.
Details: GoRedForWomen.org/WearRedDay
THE HEART BALL: A TOAST TO GOOD HEALTH:
FEB. 15, 2014
The annual black-tie affair benefiting the American
Heart Association and American Stroke
Association offers an elegant evening including
dinner, dancing and silent and live auctions.
Details: PDXHeartBall.org
NATIONAL WALKING DAY: APRIL 4, 2014
Join a movement of Americans and get walking for
your health.Wear sneakers to work and join col-
leagues, friends or family members for a walk.
Details: Heart.org
Events
“Every event we have is tied to some element
of our mission, helping people to build
healthier lives that are free of cardiovascular
disease and stroke.”
— LANETTE DAY,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HEART AND STROKE ASSOCIATIONS IN OREGON