Purdue community pledges time, money to Lafayette Heart Walk efforts

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - More than 500 Lafayette and Purdue community members will take part in Saturday's (Sept. 30) Lafayette Heart Walk to raise money for heart disease and stroke education and prevention.

The walk, a creation of the American Heart Association, will take place at Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette. Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies and a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting before the one- and three-mile walks begin.

"Each year, over 20,000 people in Indiana die from heart disease and stroke," said Mike Piggott, co-chair of the Heart Walk and director of Purdue Community Relations and Visitor Information. "Our theme is 'Change tomorrow. Today.' We hope it will inspire walkers to step toward a stronger, healthier life for themselves and their community."

Purdue student Kate Sperlik is leading a team for the walk with her student organization, Students for Healthy Hearts. Sperlik, who is president of the organization, said even people who feel it has not affected them should get involved.

"Many people don't think about heart disease and stroke affecting themselves or their loved ones, but it can strike at any age for a variety of reasons," said Sperlik, who is a senior in the College of Liberal Arts from Bloomingdale, Ill. "By participating in the walk, we can educate our friends and family about prevention and awareness."

In addition to the walk, several activities and services will be available for participants, including the American Heart Association's Heart and Stroke Victory and Memorial Wall for walkers to sign in celebration or memory of someone affected by heart disease or stroke.

Blood pressure screenings, live music from the band Firehouse, the Purdue women's basketball team, a Heart Walk Kid Zone area for children, including a moon walk, clowns, face painting and games, the Purdue Juggling Club and a variety of sponsor booths will be at the event.

The American Heart Association will use funds raised by the walk for research, education and programs relating to heart disease and stroke. Sponsors of the walk include national sponsor Subway; local medical sponsors Greater Lafayette Health Services, Sagamore Health Network and The Care Group; and local media sponsors The Journal & Courier, B97 Radio, 98.7 WASK Radio and WLFI-TV Channel 18. The event will take place rain or shine.

For information about the Heart Walk, contact Jeannine Templeman, communications coordinator for the Greater Midwest Affiliate of the American Heart Association, at (317) 873-3640, jeannine.templeman@heart.org or visit online.

Purdue students interested in learning about Students for Healthy Hearts or joining their Heart Walk team can e-mail studentsforhealthyhearts@gmail.com.

Writer: Bethany Bannister-Andrews, (765) 494-2073, bbannister@purdue.edu

Sources: Jeannine Templeman, (317) 873-3640, jeannine.templeman@heart.org

Mike Piggott, (765) 494-4636, mpiggott@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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