Get Heart Healthy | Opinion – South Florida Sun Sentinel – South Florida Sun Sentinel

Research shows that more people in the U.S. are sitting more and moving less than they did prior to the pandemic, and given the lifestyle changes forced upon the world by COVID-19, the surging uptick in cardiovascular disease and stroke is likely to continue in the months and years to come. It’s never been a better time to find new ways to boost physical and emotional health, and Broward County has one way to do that while raising funds that can help save lives for generations to come.

Joining the American Heart Association’s (AHA) 2022 Broward Heart Walk is a great way to socially connect and get moving — all while making an impact in our community. This year, you can “Heart Walk” here, there or anywhere, and no matter the path you take, your participation and support saves and improves lives in Broward County and beyond.

So, lace up your sneakers and head outside on Sunday, March 13. Check in begins at 8 a.m. for this year’s Broward Heart Walk, as the AHA aims to achieve a record $2 million fundraising goal. Join me, along with my good friend, former Miami Heat NBA Champion and founder of the Mourning Family Foundation, Alonzo Mourning, as we kick-off the three-mile walk in support of heart-health research.

This annual event brings together thousands of walk participants, volunteers and sponsors to support the fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke, celebrate heart disease survivors and honor those who have lost their battle to the disease. When you participate in the Heart Walk, you help to ensure more cardiovascular research is funded and more hospitals administer the highest standards of care.

During the walk, participants and attendees are encouraged to share their “why I walk” stories, sharing celebrations and personal remembrances of anyone in their lives affected by heart disease or stroke. My personal “Why” for getting involved with AHA and the Broward Heart Walk year after year is my Uncle Kevin. He was only 54 when he lost his life to heart disease, right as the company he founded (with my dad Keith) was approaching tremendous growth and expansion. While that loss is with us every day, as it is for many families, it doesn’t have to be that way for others. With each step taken at the Broward Heart Walk, you’ll help millions of people celebrate more birthdays, fulfill more dreams, share more hugs and create more memories.

As part of its multi-year sponsorship of the AHA, our company, CITY Furniture, invites all associates and customers to join the CITY Cares AHA Team to raise critical funds and awareness for heart health. In support of this effort, CITY invites customers to “Test Rest” a mattress in any one of its showrooms and for each “test” taken from now through the end of March, CITY will donate $25 to AHA, plus reward customers with a $25 gift card.

Interested in taking steps to support cardiovascular health and participating in the Broward Heart Walk? Just go to www2.heart.org to register. Set a goal for your personal fundraising page, and let your friends and family know they can pledge funds toward your efforts. Then head out and join me on March 13 at Nova Southeastern University (3301 College Ave. in Fort Lauderdale) for the 28th annual Broward Heart Walk.

I hope you’ll take this cause to heart —and keep in mind this is not just another finish line. It’s a movement for the health and well-being of all of us and a commitment to a healthier future, so be a part of it and make heart-healthy living part of your life year-round.