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TRENTON, NJ -
350 participants (230 Runners and walkers; 105 staff and volunteers; 15 FUN RUNS registrants) attended
the third annual Run for Your Heart event held on Mother's Day at Mercer County Park located
in central New Jersey.
With overhead skies and the possiblity of inclement weather, the WHF endured the competing forces of
Mother's Day and Mother Nature and ushered
runners and walkers to enter the starting line and begin the race at the same time.
Before and after the race, participants enjoyed the Heart Project jewelry sales and complete
a HEART TRUTH survey form designed to test knowledge of women's heart disease and evidence-based wellness
strategies to lower risk. The survey revealed there
was a general lack of participants' knowledge in this important
area of health. Results are being tabulated by a Rutgers University-Camden research team
and will be released in early fall of 2006.
Keynote Dr. Rosaly Correa-de-Araujo of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
addressed the need for gender-specific medicine and
particularly the importance for all women to adopt healthier lifestyles. Research
points to regular walking as
the best first-line strategy for women to prevent heart disease and sudden death
of heart attack. Ms. Peri Nearon, Director of the New Jersey Office on Women's Health
presented
a proclamation from Governor Jon S. Corzine recognizing National
Women's Health Week in New Jersey and spoke to the importance of wellness
interventions. Sandra Estepa, Coordinator of Region II Office on Women's Health
thanked the Women's Heart Foundation for organizing
the event. Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, 14th District, was emcee and voiced
her support of the Women's Heart Foundation's wellness and intevention
programs that are so vital to the women of New Jersey.
Bonnie Arkus gave Dr. Correa a WHF signature
Purple Ribbons Walking pin to wear along with the red dress pin, to signify the importance
of walking and wellness as the foundation for heart health.
"We were so fortunate to have been given this opportunity to provide a fun, heart-healthy activity for
families of New Jersey, in commemoration of National Women's Health Week", said Bonnie Arkus,
WHF founder and executive director. "With two
grants in hand, we were able to purchase the latest heart health education materials from the Heart Truth
campaign and provide a special event. The Women's Heart Foundation is
grateful to its presenting sponsors: The Heart Truth Project, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Region II Office on Women's Health and the Horizon
Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey for sponsoring the 3rd Annual RUN FOR YOUR HEART
event. WHF is also indebted
to its health partner, Capital Health System, for
providing free health screenings, corporate sponsors Roma Bank, PSE&G, and to
raffle and coupon sponsors: Curves®, Robert Wood Johnson
Hamilton Center for Health and Wellness, Dick's Sporting Goods, Lord and Taylor, Hair Cuttery, and Health Magazine.
Thanks also to the generous support of
the NJDEP volunteers, media partners - The Trenton Times and the Princeton Packet,
and to our food sponsors - Wegmans and Johanna Foods Inc. for making this event possible," she said.
The Women's Heart Foundation stresses the fact that heart disease is not just
a man's disease. A woman dies every minute from heart disease. One of three
American women will succumb. Early warning signs of heart attack present in
71% of women with sudden onset of flu-like symptoms and a "funny feeling" in
the chest. Symptoms often go unrecognized and tests misinterpreted, leading to
more advanced vessel disease and worse outcomes. All studies point to the
critical need for a gender-specific cardiovascular disease intervention model
for women. The Foundation designs and implements heart wellness and
intervention programs and has received national and international recognition
for its programs. For more information,
contact the Women's Heart Foundation, P.O. Box 7827, West Trenton, NJ 08628.
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