Next week, Saturday, September 26, ScottCare will participate in its third Cleveland Heart Walk, a small but dedicated crew joining more than 1,000 teams and 15,000 walkers for an event that benefits the American Heart Association's efforts to raise funds for heart disease and stroke research. Team ScottCare would love to have you join our walk—and certainly would be grateful for any donation!
As of 2010, Ohio had the 12th highest death rate (PDF) from cardiovascular disease in the country and ranked higher than the national average in all heart disease and stroke risk factors. Clearly, the Cleveland Heart Walk is a crucial piece of the puzzle in raising awareness and understanding of heart disease, its risk factors and treatment.
According to the Cleveland chapter of the American Heart Association, the AHA currently funds 48 projects in the Cleveland area, totaling $10.2 million.
Last year the Cleveland Heart Walk raised $2.5 million, meaning for every dollar raise, $4 went back to locally-based heart disease and stroke research. It's an investment in the health of the Cleveland community that one can feel proud of, particularly in knowing the research conducted here benefits those throughout the U.S.; nearly 2,000 Americans die of cardiovascular diseases every day—one person every 39 seconds.
It's important to note, however, that despite all the funds raised, 35 projects ($5.3 million) in meritorious research projects went unfunded in 2014 due to financial resources. There is still so much work to do.
ScottCare became involved with the Cleveland Heart Walk because of an obvious, natural alignment with the AHA event and the mission of our company—to help hospitals and practices improve patient care and outcomes in their efforts to diagnose and manage cardiovascular disease.
Our involvement is personal as well: too many of us are affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke—individually and those we love. (Just recently one of our staff members survived a heart attack, gratefully, thanks to his recognition of the symptoms and the life-saving work of his doctors—a reminder that heart disease so often strikes unexpectedly.)
We walk with Team ScottCare shirts that serve to celebrate the Walk as well as acknowledge ScottCare family involved in the fight and those we've lost.
During our first year with the Walk, Team ScottCare raised $4,100 in just over a month for the Cleveland Heart Walk. Last year we managed to surpass our goal of raising $5,000. This year we're hoping to exceed our goal again but the timeline is tight—and we could use your help!
The walk itself is also a wonderful chance for us to explore the highlights of downtown Cleveland—one of the reasons the event is so enjoyable! We start along the shores of Lake Erie, passing FirstEnergy Stadium (home of our beloved Cleveland Browns), the Great Lakes Science Center and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along our route. It's the perfect opportunity to join with our colleagues and community for an important cause, explore our home from a new vantage point, and get much needed exercise and perspective along the way.
If you're local and want to get involved, there's still time! We'd love for you to join us.
Many thanks to Shamrock Companies, which has generously contributed again this year to our ability to raise funds for Team ScottCare and the Cleveland Heart Walk.