Central Iowa Heart Walk celebrates 30 years of saving lives
Des Moines and Central Iowa communities invited to sign up and step out for health
For immediate release
DES MOINES, Iowa, April 28, 2023 — The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, invites Central Iowa to the 2023 Central Iowa Heart Walk on Saturday, May 6 at the Iowa State Capitol.
The American Heart Association’s premier event to boost physical and mental health, the Heart Walk allows supporters to celebrate heart and stroke survivors, raise lifesaving funds and encourage physical activity. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Heart Walk in Des Moines.
“Heart disease and stroke impact people in very personal life-changing ways,” said Mike Tousley, chairperson of the Central Iowa Heart Walk and executive vice president and general manager of The Weitz Company’s Iowa Business Unit. “The Heart Walk encourages participants to express, share and be inspired by the reasons why they walk while supporting an organization that leads the way in the fight against cardiovascular disease.”
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the event, the American Heart Association will recognize longtime Central Iowa Heart Walk participants, honor survivors and share the special story of this year’s Heart Walk survivor ambassador, Charlie Kolbe.
Charlie is a 6-month-old congenital heart defect survivor from Ankeny. He was born with d-Transposition of the Great Arteries and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and underwent open-heart surgery at just 1-month old.
“Our family has been blessed with the opportunity to share our story and we’re excited to be a part of this wonderful event,” said Whitney Kolbe, Charlie’s mother and global fitness and wellness manager at Kemin Industries. “The Heart Walk has always been important to our family. Now, through Charlie’s journey, we have an even bigger reason to be involved.”
KJJY Radio personality Chad Taylor and KCCI-TV meteorologist Jason Sydejko will serve as emcees for the event. The Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps. will provide live entertainment.
To register, visit www.DSMHeartWalk.org. From there, participants can stay up to date by downloading the Heart Walk mobile app and encourage friends and family to join in via e-mail or on social media.
The Weitz Company is the presenting sponsor of the Central Iowa Heart Walk. Other key sponsors include CDS Global, MercyOne Clive Rehabilitation Hospital, Kemin Industries and the Ruan Foundation.
The Central Iowa Heart Walk is the signature event of the American Heart Association’s Heart Challenge program, which is designed to help companies positively impact employee overall health and wellbeing. The program is anchored in a series of customizable workplace events that inspires employees to be more engaged, reconnect with colleagues and get in their physical activity.
The funds raised from the Central Iowa Heart Walk go towards research, advocacy, CPR training and to promote better health in support of the Association’s 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal, reducing barriers to health care access and quality. During the past 5 years, the American Heart Association has funded more than $12.9 million dollars on new research studies in the state of Iowa, including 67 studies at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
