Thousands of Greater Portland families, friends, co-workers and heart and stroke survivors will walk in the American Heart Association’s Start! Greater Portland Heart Walk to raise awareness and funds to fight cardiovascular disease, the No. 1 cause of death in the Pacific Northwest and across the country.

The focus of this year’s Heart Walk is to:
* Create Hope – The Heart Walk brings together people touched by heart disease and stroke.  It honors survivors and allows individuals to pay tribute to loved ones impacted by these diseases.
* Inspire Change – Get the inspiration and tools to start living a life that includes physical activity and heart-healthy choices everyday.
* Celebrate Success – Celebrate individuals and companies that have made significant changes to reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke and to lead a heart-healthy life.

This year’s walk will feature:
* 5K walk and 1K survivor route
* Interactive exhibits to help people take their own steps toward a healthier life
* Games and activity area for kids and families
* Fun festival before and after the walk, with free heart-healthy food and music

To register, call (503) 233-0100 or register online at pdxheartwalk.org. Fundraising through the Heart Walk helps the American Heart Association continue its lifesaving work in our community.

WHEN: 
Saturday, May 17
Festival open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Opening Ceremony begins at 9:45 a.m.

WHERE:  
Portland Metro Location – Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade (SE Water Ave and SE Main Street)
SW Washington Location – Vancouver Landing (next to the Red Lion at the Quay)

WHY: 
Every minute, cardiovascular disease – including heart disease and stroke, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers – take the lives of two people. Cardiovascular disease can strike anyone: man, woman, or child.  The Heart Walk is a fun and easy way to make a difference. By collecting contributions, walkers help ensure funding for research that gives us miracle cures and the knowledge to fight cardiovascular disease. 

Research funded by the American Heart Association has yielded or contributed to many important discoveries — such as CPR, life-extending drugs (including clot-busters), pacemakers, bypass surgery, the heart-lung machine and surgical techniques to repair heart defects. These and other advances are making it possible for many to call themselves “survivors.”

In the last 10 years, the American Heart Association has funded more than $19 million in heart and stroke research in Oregon. Currently, they are funding 38 research grants in the state of Oregon, totaling more than $5.8 million.