To fight heart disease and the risk of strokes, as well as raise money for the American Heart Association NSU will host the annual Broward Heart Walk on April 23 at 8 a.m. at the Alvin Sherman Library Quad.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. The American Heart Association educates medical professionals, lawmakers, and the general public about heart disease, provides CPR training, and funds heart disease and stroke research.
The walk will feature free food for participants, as well as health screenings, entertainment, music, and activities for children.
In 2015, the Broward Heart Walk raised over $700,000 for the American Heart Association, and over 10,000 people attended the event. The association has already raised $240,000 of this year’s $850,000 goal.
The walk will feature free food for participants, as well as health screenings, entertainment, music and activities for children.
Evelyn Hulce, director of information systems at NSU, has been a team captain at the Broward Heart Walk for 16 years. Teams work together to recruit more participants and raise money. NSU’s goal is to raise $20,000 among 21 teams throughout the university. So far, they’ve raised almost $8,000.
Hulce said that the Broward Heart Walk helps bring NSU together.
“It helps us have fun for a good cause,” she said. “You get to invite friends and family; it’s not just the people at NSU.”
Hulce said that the atmosphere at the event is exciting.
“Everyone’s there, and everyone’s happy,” she said. “There’s just so many people and dogs and pets around, strollers, children, and people who haven’t seen each other in years.”
Adee Shekar, assistant director of operations, has participated in the Broward Heart Walk for nine years.
“My uncle passed away from heart disease, so I think it’s really important,” she said. “The enthusiasm that people show who get involved with it motivates other people as well. It’s an exciting event, but it has a bigger purpose as well.”
Shekar said that the Broward Heart Walk is a great way to get the community involved with NSU.
“It’s all about education for heart disease and preventative measures and why it’s so important,” she said. “Heart disease affects so many people.”
For more information about the walk, call the Heart Walk hotline at 954-364-5096, or visit browardheartwalk.org. To register for free, visit browardheartwalk.kintera.org.
Photo Credit: E. Hulce
