I am no runner but this year I am running for a cause that's dear to my heart. I am running to raise money to help fight heart disease in honor of my grandmother Ivory D Walters. Although many people think of heart disease as a man's problem, women can and do get heart disease. In fact, heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States.
The numbers are just staggering:
- 65 million Americans have high blood pressure
- Nearly 100 million have borderline-high or high cholesterol
- More than 136 million are overweight or obese
- 36,000 babies are born with heart defects each year
As frightening as those numbers are, it could be even worse. Since 1999, the death rate from coronary heart disease has decreased by 23%; the death rate from stroke has been reduced by 19%; and high cholesterol prevalence was reduced by 20%. Much of this success in fighting cardiovascular diseases and stroke is due to the research, public education efforts, medical training and community health programs funded by the American Heart Association (AHA). But the credit goes to you, our supporters. Lawyers Have Heart has raised more than $7.5 million since its inception in 1991, and thanks to your continued efforts, we are on track to raise $675,000 this year by race day. Your support is absolutely critical to funding the programs of the AHA and saving lives.
Every dollar more we can raise will make even larger impact:
- $15 can make the newest CPR Guidelines available to an emergency care provider.
- $20 could teach up to 50 people how to assess their risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke and provide the steps for them to identify and reduce their risk. $100 can equip one hospital or health department with resources to educate patients, the public and health professionals on stroke prevention and life after stroke – the #3 cause of death and leading cause of disability.
