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Save Lives Through September Virtual Heart, Stroke Walk
heart

With the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic keeping more Americans at home, the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all, is embracing the new normal. To that end, the organization has combined the iconic 209 Heart and Stroke Walks, held annually in Modesto and Stockton, into one digital experience on Saturday, Sept. 26. This year’s Heart and Stroke Walk is supported by local Healthy for Good sponsor Adventist Health Lodi Memorial.

The 209 Heart and Stroke Walk is a fun and meaningful way to celebrate heart disease and stroke survivors, raise lifesaving funds and encourage physical activity.

“We are here to help families through these tough times by providing a digital experience that allows us to have fun, stay connected, and adapt to spending time at home,” said Brad Ardis, President of Huff Construction and Chair of the 2020 209 Heart and Stroke Walk. “The Heart and Stroke Walk supports the critical mission of the American Heart Association, and now more than ever is helping to highlight the benefits of staying physically active to stay healthy.”

On Saturday, Sept. 26, the 209 Heart and Stroke Walk participants and teams will not meet in person but are invited to get moving at home or around their neighborhood at any time that day. Here are a few fun activities for participants to consider choosing from:

Take a walk outside (while following current social distancing guidelines).

Get the whole family involved and have an indoor dance party.

Try out a few strengthening exercises like push-ups, lunges and squats.

Create an at home circuit workout.

To register, visit www.heart.org/209HeartWalks. Once registered, participants are encouraged to follow the Stockton-Modesto Division on: Twitter (@StoMoHasHeart), Facebook (@AHAStocktonModesto), and Instagram (@ahastocktonmodesto). By going social with the Stockton-Modesto Division, you can stay up to date with the Heart and Stroke Walk community as well as fun activities leading up to the virtual event, including challenges, contests, Facebook Live events and more. On the day of, everyone is encouraged to wear their Heart Walk T-shirt or something red and post pictures and videos to document their activity using #209HeartandStrokeWalk.

The funds raised from the 209 Heart and Stroke Walk support research, advocacy, CPR training and promote better health. In addition, the Association is working with researchers, medical experts, community leaders, businesses, families and more to reduce the impact of the coronavirus, investing a minimum of $2.5 million to investigate the cardiovascular implications of coronavirus. Visit www2.heart.org to learn more.

The American Heart Association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, they fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with them on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.