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3:58 p.m., Sept. 18, 2007--Students, staff, faculty, families and friends hit the ground walking for a good cause on Sunday, Sept. 9, at the 2007 Heart Walk on the Wilmington Waterfront.

The UD teams sporting T-shirts, featuring popular mascot YoUDee with Have a Heart Delaware Heart Walk on the back, got a hearty send-off from YoUDee and UD cheerleaders to start them on their way.

Kathy Corbitt, director of UD's Employee Wellness Center, and Richie Holland, manager of human resources and affirmative action, coordinated the event. The total funds raised have not been tabulated by the Delaware Heart Association, but there was a tremendous turnout for the walk, according to Corbitt.

“It was a perfect day, and the Heart Walk was very successful with 100 plus walkers from UD, including students, faculty and staff,” Corbitt said. “It also was a time for many walkers to share stories and experiences in their lives about family members or friends who had suffered from heart disease and why they felt it important to support the Heart Association by walking.”

After the 5K walk, many stayed on for the Heart Association's exhibits, fun things for kids to do and activities and screenings related to healthy hearts, Corbitt said.

“It's an event for everyone from UD and their families to get together, have fun and help an excellent cause,” Holland said. “I especially was proud of the support we received from Alpha Phi sorority and Kappa Sigma fraternity, whose members stepped right up to the starting line to help with the walk.”

“The American Heart Association is wonderful because it raises money for a disease that affects so many people,” said Kevin Wolf, president of Kappa Sigma. “Kappa Sigma is always pleased to participate in events that benefit the community and raise money for a great cause. The University of Delaware had a large presence at the Heart Walk. Kappa Sigma and Alpha Phi sorority were happy to represent Greek organizations on campus, and Kappa Sigma looks forward to contributing to the success of this event in future years.”

“The sisters of Alpha Phi were honored to be part of the Wilmington Heart Walk,” Laura Corbett, president of Alpha Phi, said. “Raising awareness of cardiac care is truly important to us as a chapter, especially because so many women die from heart disease each year. We are proud we took part in such a wonderful and widespread event, and we look forward to next year.”

Article by Sue Moncure
Photos by Kevin Quinlan