Heart & Stroke Walk Expected to Draw 7,500 People to Rancho Jurupa Park

The American Heart Association’s (AHA) Inland Empire Division will host its annual Inland Empire Heart & Stroke Walk on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Rancho Jurupa Park, where an estimated 7,500 people will lace up their sneakers and make lifesaving strides. The Heart & Stroke Walk is an annual tradition that brings the community together to raise awareness and funds to fight heart disease and stroke, the leading killers in the United States, including the Inland Empire. Among the participants will be many families who lost loved ones to the nation’s leading causes of death, and heart disease and stroke survivors like Elise Rodriguez and Kristen Cross. Elise Rodriguez is a healthy 25-year-old Riverside resident that suffered a heart attack last April while at work. Elise, who will be getting a pacemaker a few weeks after the walk, wants to finish the 5K to inspire others to educate themselves about how to prevent a heart attack, even if you think you are too young. Kristen Cross, also from Riverside, is a 34-year-old whose immediate family has passed away from cardiovascular disease. Her mother died of heart disease when Kristen was 14, her sister at 25 of the same condition, and later her father passed away from a stroke. Kristen has since been diagnosed with four heart conditions and has had many surgeries, as well as many changes in her lifestyle to improve her health and be there for her two children. “This event would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our Executive Leadership Team and AHA staff,” said Matthew Webb, Chair of the 2015 Inland Empire County Heart & Stroke Walk. “Our goal is to raise $500,000 for the fight against heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases which claim the lives of more than 831,000 people every year.” The Inland Empire Heart & Stroke Walk promises to be a wonderful and exciting occasion for the whole family. The day’s main events are the non-competitive 5-kilometer walk, 1-mile Survivor Path and half-mile Kids Fun Run. Other highlights include a Health and Wellness Expo, a Survivor Lounge, Kids Zone featuring games and educational information promoting heart health, and top fundraisers. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., and the free program and walk start at 8:30 a.m..