2017 Bakersfield Heart Walk, Oct. 21

More than 2,000 Kern County residents are expected to participate in the 2017 Bakersfield Heart Walk on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017 at CSUB Ampitheatre. Festivities, registration and the Health Expo begin at 8 a.m. followed by the walk at 9:30 a.m.

The Walk encourages healthy habits while raising funds to support the American Heart Association's research and education efforts to fight heart disease and stroke – the nation's No. 1 and No. 5 health threat to both men and women.  As the number one cause of death in our nation, heart disease is also the No. 1 killer in Kern County. The event features three walk routes with multiple distance options, including a 5k, a 2 mile and a survivor's lap. Additionally, the event hosts a health expo, educational booths, a kid's zone, refreshments and snacks. Registration for the walk is free while fundraising and making a personal donation are encouraged.  

Cardiovascular, heart and stroke diseases are the number 1 killer of both men and women in the U.S. – killing about 2,200 Americans each day – one every 40 seconds. It claimes the lives of more than 830,000 men, women and children every year. The Heart Walk brings the community together to raise awareness and much-needed funds to fight these diseases.

The Heart Walk is sponsored locally by Adventist Health Bakersfield, Dignity Health Mercy & Memorial Hospitals, Grimmway Farms, Chevron, Atul Aggarwal MD Cardiology Clinic, Bakersfield Heart Hospital, Central Cardiology Medical Clinic, Healthsouth Rehabilitation Hospital, Comprehensive Cardiovascular Medical Group, Dignity Hillcrest Cemetery and UPS Stores. Media sponsors include Bakersfield Magazine, KGET, Telemundo 17, Radio Lotus, Radio Campesina, KUZZ and Kern County Family Magazine.

For more information regarding the Bakersfield Heart Walk, please visit http://www.BakersfieldHeartWalk.com.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About the American Stroke Association

The American Stroke Association is devoted to saving people from stroke - the No. 2 cause of death in the world and a leading cause of serious disability. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat stroke. The Dallas-based association officially launched in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit StrokeAssociation.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association receives funding mostly from individuals. Foundations and corporations donate as well, and fund specific programs and events. Strict policies are enforced to prevent these relationships from influencing the Association's science content. Financial information for the American Heart Association, including a list of contributions from pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers, is available at http://www.heart.org/corporatefunding.