Greater Northern New Jersey Heart Walk Returns to Turtle Back Zoo
WEST ORANGE, NJ — The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association will host its annual Greater Northern New Jersey Heart Walk on Sunday, Oct. 21, in the South Mountain Recreation Complex at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange.
Under the leadership of Alan Lieber, president of Overlook Medical Center and vice president of Atlantic Health System, the community will continue to rally together in support of the fight against heart disease and stroke. As chair of the event, Lieber will recruit volunteers, businesses and organizations to support the Heart Walk, which drives the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s mission of building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
The Greater Northern NJ Heart Walk, locally sponsored by Bayer, Atlantic Health System, ADP, Novartis, RWJ Barnabas, The Allergan Foundation, BARD, NJM Insurance Group, AIG, WDHA-FM, TAPinto.net and more, brings hundreds of Essex, Morris, Union, Sussex, Somerset and Warren County families, organizations and businesses together annually for a fun event filled with cardiovascular wellness.
The walk also raises funds to support the fight against heart disease and stroke—the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 leading causes of death. Held in more than 305 communities nationwide, the Heart Walk is designed to promote physical activity and heart-healthy living through a fun environment that is rewarding for the entire family.
According to the American Heart Association, research shows that not only do active parents raise active children, they also put kids on the right path for maintaining a healthy weight in order to prevent heart disease, cancer and stroke. The American Heart Association recommends that kids over 2 years old should participate in an hour of physical activity a day.
From family dance parties, to playing with pets, to visiting nearby hiking trails or completing house chores, there are many ways in which parents can be a role models for their families and help them incorporate physical activity into their daily routines.
Walking is a safe, fun and effective way to kick-start family fitness fun.
To learn more or to register to Greater Northern New Jersey Heart Walk, visit www.GreaterNNJHeartWalk.org, or contact (201) 518-1966 or judith.friedland@heart.org.