By putting their collective best foot forward, participants in this year’s Washington County and Mon Valley Heart Walk will have the opportunity to take big strides in the American Heart Association’s (AHA) ongoing fight against heart disease.

More than 600 people are expected to take part in the walk on Saturday, October 6 at 10 a.m. at Consol Energy Park in Washington. The goal is to raise $100,000.

According to Louis J. Panza Jr., president and chief executive officer of Monongahela Valley Hospital who is chairperson of the event, the purpose of the annual Heart Walk is two-fold.

“Obviously, it is an excellent fund-raising project for the American Heart Association,” Panza said. “In addition, it also is intended to increase awareness about the ways people can reduce the risks of heart disease and lead healthier lives.”

“Participants can walk at their own pace, this is not a race,” Panza said. “The real winners will be our communities and the American Heart Association, its many programs and research.”

Monongahela Valley Hospital, The Washington Hospital, 84 Lumber and Rose Plastic in California (PA) are the major sponsors of the event. Among the many other businesses sponsoring teams in the walk is Canonsburg General Hospital and the Washington County employees. Panza said it is significant that all three of the county’s community hospitals are involved.

“We are extremely pleased to be partners with Canonsburg and Washington hospitals in this event,” Panza said. “Throughout their long histories, all three hospitals have offered their communities quality cardiac care services. Participating in the Heart Walk is another extension of our support of the American Heart Association’s efforts to reduce the effects of heart disease, stroke and related illnesses.”

The Heart Walk, which has raised almost $600 million for research and education since it was launched in 1994, will take place in about 450 cities this year. The Washington County and Mon Valley Division’s Heart Walk is both a fund-raiser and an educational event. Teams are made up of employees from each company, along with friends and family members of all ages. Participants ask their friends and co-workers for a flat donation for walking the course. They collect the donations and turn them in before the walk starts.

Diana Cummings, division director of the AHA, said the Heart Walk also will offer special recognition to heart disease survivors and volunteers involved in the event, who will be wearing red caps bearing the words “Fighting Back.”

“The American Heart Association is the largest volunteer organization in the United States,” Cummings said. “We rely on our volunteers for the planning of, preparations for and carrying out the Heart Walk. We feel it is only fitting that they receive public acknowledgement.”

Cummings also said recognition of the heart disease survivors is significant.

“They represent hope and courage and a true celebration of life,” she said. “We are deeply grateful to them for allowing their stories to be told and for participating in the Heart Walk.”

Daniel J. Tollan of Belle Vernon is one of those survivors.

“I was at a Pirate game when I felt some tension in my chest but otherwise felt fine,” he said. “The next day I went to see Dr. Solan in Fayette City who immediately scheduled me for a stress test and cardiac cath at MVH. They found five blockages and I was in surgery the next day.

“After I did my 14-week stint at cardiac rehab, I am continuing to exercise five days a week at the Center for Fitness and Health. Prevention is the key and this will never happen to me again,” he said.

Cummings pointed out that increasing awareness of heart disease is “very important.” It is, she said, the number one killer of men and women and the number one birth defect in children.

“These walks raise millions of dollars for the fight against heart disease and the majority of the money raised goes to research,” Cumming said. “Research has truly been the way to help most people; that is, finding new ways to enhance and advance the care and treatments provided by cardiologists and other physicians and hospitals.”

Melanie Taylor, traffic reporter on WTAE-TV and a longtime radio personality in Pittsburgh, will be the master of ceremonies for this year’s event. She is a native of Monessen whose family still resides in the Mon Valley.

“We are very pleased that Melanie will be participating this year,” Panza said. “She and her family have long been strong advocates of the American Heart Association.”

Cummings also extended appreciation to Consol Energy Park for “giving us the use of the park and its adjoining facilities. This is a big contribution.”

“We are sincerely appreciative of the efforts and contributions of anyone and everyone who helps make the Heart Walk a successful venture,” Cummings said. “There are businesses, large and small, as well as individuals who have an impact on what transpires. We cannot achieve our goals without each one of them.” Some of the many participating Washington County businesses include First Federal Savings Bank, Chester Engineers and The Holiday Inn Meadow Lands.

For information on participating in the Heart Walk, Washington County residents can call one of your Heart Walk staff partners at the American Heart Association at 724-222-3460 or 724-437-2798, via e-mail at washington.ahw@heart.org or visit www.heartwalk.kintera.org/washingtonpa.