The American Heart Association now is seeking participants for its 2023 Quad Cities Heart Walk to be held Saturday, June 10, at Schwiebert Park in Rock Island.
The American Heart Association’s premier event to boost physical and mental health allows supporters to celebrate heart and stroke survivors, raise lifesaving funds and encourage physical activity. This year’s theme is “I Walk to Save Lives.”
Scott Naumann, director of business development at Point Builders and a Bettendorf alderman, returns as chairperson for the event after leading a successful 2022 fundraising campaign. The cause is personal for Mr. Naumann, whose own family has been impacted by heart disease.
“Heart disease and stroke impact people in very personal, lifechanging ways,” he said in a news release. “The Heart Walk encourages participants to express, share and be inspired by the reasons why they walk while supporting an organization that leads the way in the fight against cardiovascular disease.”
Congenital heart defect survivor 5-year-old Jaxon, of Davenport, serves as this year’s survivor ambassador. Jaxon was diagnosed with Ebstein’s Anomaly and later with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT). He loves having fun, running, playing with water, ocean animals – especially sharks – and watching Michigan Wolverine football with his family.
“Without funds, medical doctors would never be able to do research or learn how to help babies such as Jaxon who are born with various CHDs,” Jaxon’s grandmother, Anita, said in a news release.
To register for this year’s walk, visit www.QuadCitiesHeartWalk.org. From there, participants can stay up to date by downloading the Heart Walk mobile app and encourage friends and family to join via e-mail or on social media.
Key sponsors of the Quad Cities Heart Walk include: Canadian Pacific Kansas City, American Bank & Trust, R.I.A. Federal Credit Union and Molo Companies / Big 10 Marts.
Funds raised go toward research, advocacy, CPR training and to promote better health in support of the association’s 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal, reducing barriers to healthcare access and quality. During the past five years, the American Heart Association has funded more than $12.9 million dollars on new research studies in the State of Iowa, including 63 studies at the University of Iowa.
