Heart Walk - August 25, 2012 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

One beautiful Saturday afternoon in May, my boyfriend and I decided to visit University Circle and enjoy its rich culture.  As we drove through this little community of winding streets and pleasant backstreets of artistic architectural buildings and stand-alone pieces, this small white building that looked – to me – as a house with a bit of Victorian-style edge (I'm not familiar with architecture styles) jumped out at me.  The sign read American Heart Association.  I drove past that building many times, but never paid any attention until that day when I was sitting in the passenger seat.

Something took over me from that point on.  The next day I searched the internet for their website and felt compelled to, somehow, be a part of this organization.  In exploring the American Heart Association’s site I discovered the Heart Walk which takes place on August 25, 2012, starting at Voinovich Park in Downtown Cleveland.

The purpose of the Heart Walk is to raise funds for programs to help educate and raise awareness in saving lives.  Did you know that “nearly 25 percent of the funds the American Heart Association raised last year came from the Heart Walk”?

These funds all help by:

“* $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 about stroke prevention and life after stroke -- the #4 cause of death and a leading cause of serious disability.”

Did you also know that –

“- 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.”

My goal is to be a part of an organization that will better equip – at least one person – with the knowledge in preventative measures by sustaining an overall healthier heart and lifestyle, and save a LIFE.

I have decided to dedicate this Heart Walk to my dad, Joe Hermann.  Heart disease ran in his family from both sides.  Dad suffered from an enlarged heart.  His heart was tired and stopped beating the evening of 

2-18-09.  The EMS revived his heart.  Dad was then rushed to the hospital where he never truly had woken.  The machines kept him alive.  As a family, my mom, my brother, and I had decided to let him go.  It was the most difficult and surreal thing I have ever experienced in my entire life.  Dad’s heart took his final beat in the morning of 2-23-09.  His heart was too tired.

Please know that I understand that financial obligations and difficulties make it hard for some to donate. 

For those who are able, will you please help me in raising awareness to this killer of a disease?  Whatever the amount you feel is on your heart to donate I will accept with great gratitude and a humble heart.  Every little bit counts.

Please click on this link now to make a contribution.  Thank you, in advance, for your generosity and kind heart!  I appreciate everyone’s efforts in helping to improve the lives of all people regardless of ethnicity, gender, or age.  Everyone is loved by someone.  God BLESS every person that reads this post!!!