(GREEN BAY, WI) (Sep. 3) – Mayor Jim Schmitt will join residents, city employees, and local celebrities tomorrow in taking steps to fight the leading killer of Green Bay citizens – heart disease.
Mayor Jim Schmitt is hosting the city’s fourth annual “Move with the MayorTM Challenge,” a month-long series of walks to save lives by getting people on the road to a healthier heart.
The campaign, a partnership between the City of Green Bay and the National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention, encourages employees and residents to walk with the Mayor for 30 minutes on Tuesdays throughout September.
This year Move with the Mayor is answering the US Surgeon’s Call to action. Step It Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities aims to get Americans walking and wheelchair rolling for the physical activity needed to help prevent and reduce their risk of chronic diseases and premature death.
Quote from your Mayor. Could be something along the lines of: “We’re a City on the move! We’ve created more walkable spaces and have implemented a bike share program. All of these efforts will help make our residents more heart healthy” said Mayor Jim Schmitt.
Heart disease kills more than 600,000 Americans every year. That’s roughly one out of every four deaths in the U.S. Yet surveys show many people are unaware that heart disease kills more people than all types of cancer combined.
“Too many people don’t realize that heart disease is America’s No. 1 cause of death,” said John Clymer, executive director of the National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention. “It’s a silent epidemic that’s killing hundreds of thousands of Americans every year.
“But this doesn’t have to happen. Deaths from heart disease are preventable,” Clymer added. “That’s why we’re trying to spread the word and get people moving.”
Clymer said walking helps reduce the chances of dying from heart disease. In fact, research shows that walking just 30 minutes a day can significantly cut the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Green Bay to fight this heartbreaking disease that claims so many lives every year,” said Clymer, whose nonprofit organization focuses on saving lives through public education and policy initiatives. “There are very few people who have not witnessed a loved one suffer from heart disease and die from it.”
Joining Mayor Jim Schmitt’s walk will be downtown professionals, city employees, and local celebrities. The walks throughout September will start and end at City Hall, 100 N Jefferson St.
The goal is to get as many of Green Bay’s residents walking as possible – not just on Tuesdays, but every day of the week.
In addition to walking each day, the National Forum is urging Americans to follow the “ABCS” as outlined by the Million Hearts initiative:
A for aspirin: Take aspirin as recommended by your health care provider.
B for Blood pressure. Get your blood pressure checked and find ways to lower it if necessary.
C for Cholesterol. Manage your cholesterol.
S for don’t Smoke. If you need help quitting, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit www.smokefree.gov.
“Just about anyone can take these simple steps to prevent heart disease and live a longer, healthier, happier life,” Clymer said. “The steps are small but the benefits are huge.”
For more information regarding Jim Schmitt’s Move with the Mayor Challenge, visit https://greenbaywi.gov/MoveWithTheMayor.
To learn more about the Move with the Mayor Challenge walks, visit (https://www.nationalforum.org/collaborations/move-with-the-mayor/).
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FORUM FOR HEART DISEASE & STROKE PREVENTION
The National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention brings together the most dynamic and diverse organizations in cardiovascular health, providing a forum and outlet for organizations to amplify their voices. Our members currently represent more than 80 national and international organizations from the public and private healthcare organizations, as well as faith, advocacy, academic, and policy settings. The National Forum is an independent non-profit, 501(c)(3), voluntary health organization. To learn more, visit www.nationalforum.org.
Anthony Victoria, (909) 637-6369, avictorianationalforum@gmail.com
Celestine Jeffreys, (920) 448-3006, celestineje@greenbaywi.gov