American Heart Association now accepting signups for the 2012 Heart Walks

Nashville Heart Walk on October 6th; Rutherford Heart Walk October 28th; American Heart Association seeking survivors

Nashville, TN – Are you a heart disease or stroke survivor – or are you close to one? The American Heart Association wants to walk with you on two special dates in October.

On Saturday, October 6th, more than 10,000 people will take to the streets for the American Heart Association’s Nashville Heart Walk, one of the largest in the nation, starting at Vanderbilt University downtown. This year’s fundraising goal for the Nashville Heart Walk is $1,750,000. Signup is now open for the walk.

The American Heart Association especially welcomes survivors, survivor families and their supporters to join the festivities and share their stories. Survivors will be distinguished at the Heart Walk with special red caps. To sign up or to learn more about the Nashville Heart Walk, visit www.nashvilleheartwalk.org .

The Rutherford Heart Walk follows closely behind, on Sunday, October 28th at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro, TN. The Rutherford walk, a newer event, is growing quickly, and this year’s crowd is expected to surpass last year’s record attendance. The fundraising goal for the Rutherford Heart Walk is $100,000 and signup is now open. Survivors and their friends and families are also encouraged to participate in this event. For more information, visit rutherfordheartwalk.org.

The Heart Walk is a non-competitive, 5K fundraising walk with teams from local companies and community groups, and friends and family members of all ages. Funds raised support research, public health programs and community education to fight heart disease and stroke, America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. The Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s largest single fundraising event across the nation. Everyone is welcome and participation is free.

For more information on either Heart Walk, contact the American Heart Association’s Nashville office at 615.340.4100.

The Heart Walk is part of the American Heart Association’s My Heart. My Life. movement and is sponsored nationally by SUBWAY® Restaurants and Jenny Craig.

In Nashville, My Heart. My Life. is sponsored locally by Vanderbilt Heart.

In Rutherford County, My Heart. My Life. is sponsored locally by Saint Thomas Heart at Middle Tennessee Medical Center. Local media sponsors of My Heart. My Life. include WKRN News 2, 107.5 The River, Nashville Business Journal and Lamar Advertising.