The American Heart Association’s Richmond Heart Walk and Bon Secours are introducing the first-ever Kid’s movin’ mania Lifestyle Change Awards. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, coaches or friends – all adults are encouraged to nominate a local child or teen, 6-17 years old, which has started eating healthier, has become more active or is encouraging their friends or family to get more heart healthy with them.
Today, about one in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese, nearly triple the rate in 1963. That is approximately 23.5 million children nationwide. Overweight kids are more likely to become overweight adults, leading to futures with increased risks for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Some experts believe our current generation of children could become the first in American history to live shorter lives than their parents due to decreased physical activity and poor nutritional choices.
Helping children fight childhood obesity is not just about helping them lose weight or getting in better physical shape; it is about improving their self-esteem, rewarding positive changes and celebrating children in our area that are establishing healthy habits for life.
Now through Sept. 11th, nominate a child online at www.RichmondVAHeartWalk.org or call 965-6585 for an application. All nominees will celebrate at the movin’ mania Kid Zone tent at the 2013 Richmond Heart Walk and enjoy fun, interactive activities and games.
All applicants will receive a certificate, movin’ mania t-shirt and an American Heart Association Kid’s Cookbook. One grand prize will be awarded to each of the age categories below and will be announced on Sept. 28, 2013 at the Richmond Heart Walk on Brown’s Island at 9 a.m.
Age Categories Grand Prize
6-9 bicycle from Agee’s Bicycles
10-12 bicycle from Agee’s Bicycles
13-17 VIP tickets to the Redskins Training Camp and autographed jersey
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. 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.
The American Heart Association’s 2013 Richmond Heart Walk, locally sponsored by Bon Secours Richmond Health System and Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc., raises essential funds for heart disease and stroke research and prevention programs. For more information on the Richmond Heart Walk, visit www.RicmondVaHeartWalk.org.
About Bon Secours
Bon Secours Virginia provides good help to thousands of Virginians through a network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, ambulatory care sites and continuing care facilities across the Commonwealth. The not-for-profit health system employs about 12,000 people, including nearly 300 physicians as part of the Bon Secours Medical Group.
The fourth largest and only faith-based health system in Virginia, Bon Secours Virginia offers a full range of services including cardiac, women’s, children’s, orthopaedics, oncology, neurosciences and surgery at seven award-winning hospitals.
• Bon Secours Richmond is St. Mary’s Hospital, Memorial Regional Medical Center, Richmond Community Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center.
• Bon Secours Hampton Roads is Maryview Medical Center, DePaul Medical Center and Mary Immaculate Hospital.
###
