UD team members needed for Heart Walk

Campus participation in the American Heart Association Heart Walk, which kicks off at 9 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 14, on the Wilmington Riverfront, is sponsored by the Office of Human Resources, UD’s Employee Wellness Center and the Office of Public Relations.

“Fourteen captains, including one student, already have signed up to lead UD’s Heart Walk teams this year. Now, we’re looking for team members to join in this effort,” Richie Holland, manager, Human Resources, said.

Since 1998, volunteers from the University community have laced up their running and walking shoes to help place UD among the top contributors during this annual event held to raise funds to fight heart disease.

Last year, UD employees, students, alumni and friends raised $12,736. To continue this tradition at UD, walkers are being sought to participate in the three-mile walk/run along the shores of the Christina River.

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“I have contacted more than 30 student groups to encourage their participation,” Holland said. “We will provide students with free transportation to Wilmington and back, and everyone who joins a UD team gets a free YoUDee Heart Walk T-shirt.”

In addition to the walk itself, participation includes soliciting donations from friends, family, coworkers and neighbors before the event. Although there is no minimum amount of money that must be raised, all walkers are asked to raise some funds.

Marianne Carter, director of the UD’s Employee Wellness Center, said that while about 100 members participated last year, she hopes the 2003 UD team will double or triple that figure, given the number of UD students, staff, alumni and friends with reasons to support the annual effort.

“Almost everyone knows someone who has been affected by heart disease, and this money will be used for education, research and prevention efforts,” Carter said. “We are hoping that we have a large UD team so that the community will see that UD has a lot of heart.”

On Sept. 14, registration begins at 8 a.m., with opening ceremonies and warm-up at 8:45 a.m. In addition to the run, which begins at 9 a.m., and the walk, which steps off at 9:10 am., other morning activities will include the taking of team photos, health screenings, massages, children’s activities, refreshments and entertainment.

Walk information and photos from past walks are on display in the lobby of McDowell Hall on UD’s Newark campus.

For more information, including a list of UD teams and captains, visit [http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=23776], call Carter at 831-1109, send e-mail to [mcarter@udel.edu] or call Randee Tobin at 831-2381.

Article by Jerry Rhodes

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