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| Magan & her sister, Kiera, at last year's Heart Walk |
This year I have been selected as one of my company’s team leaders for the American Heart Association's Heart Walk. I am responsible for my team of selected captains and holding them accountable for signing up walkers and helping raise money to reach our goals. My role in the Heart Walk is a bit different than last year, last year I only participated in the walk on someone else’s team and this year I will have my own team including captains and walkers. The walk is April 19th at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Downtown Oklahoma City. It is a free walk and everyone is invited and encouraged to come, you can even bring your pets! It is so much fun seeing all of these people gather and unite for the same cause. They also recognize survivors of heart disease and it is so awesome to see all of these survivors and to hear their stories. Whether you are a walker, a team captain, or a team leader the Heart Walk is so much fun and really gives you a new way to look at things.
The American Heart Association and the Heart Walk is important to me for many different reasons. My grandpa had a quadruple bypass surgery in August 2004 which very well could have saved his life. My sister was also born in 2004, right before my grandpa’s open heart surgery, him having this surgery has given him the chance to be in my sister’s life and given my sister the chance to grow up knowing her grandpa. I also have numerous other family members and friends that have been impacted by heart disease and stroke. One of my team captains had a heart attack at the age of 12 and had to have a pacemaker installed, she is now living a healthy life and has not had any major problems since the installation of her pacemaker.
I have a great passion for the American Heart Association and the Heart Walk and want to share my passion and help it develop through others. Child obesity is currently at an all-time high and for the first time ever, our children around the age of 10 have a shorter life expectancy than we do. This breaks my heart as my sister will be 10 years old this August and I want the most healthy life for her that she could have. The American Heart Association is about more than just raising awareness for heart disease, it’s also about preventing by encouraging all humans to live a healthier lifestyle. This goes for all of the adults, it is up to us to prolong the lives of our children by teaching them to lead a healthy lifestyle. I walk for my grandpa, my family, my friends, my sister, children, those who are battling heart disease, those who have lost the battle, and my own health.
The best way to help is to donate money to the American Heart Association. Whether it be $5, $20, $100, or whatever amount you choose to give, it all goes to a great cause. And the best part is, whatever money is raised for the American Heart Association in Oklahoma, all of that money stays within our state to help fund research for stroke and heart disease. The more money we raise, the more research can be done. The more research that can be done, the more we can prevent.
My organization has a company goal of $150,000.00 this year, my personal goal is $1,000.00 and the American Heart Association’s goal for the Oklahoma City Heart Walk is $1.2 Million.
You can make a difference. An estimated 83 million U.S. adults suffer from cardiovascular diseases. More than 2,200 people die from this disease every day. Your gift of $25 gives 50 people educational materials that teach them how to personally reduce their risk of heart diseases and stroke. Your gift of $50 delivers the message of healthy nutrition to elementary school students through lesson plans and activity guides. Your gift of $100 allows one hospital to teach its patients, caregivers, and health professionals about the risks of stroke - the nation's No. 4 killer.
Support the American Heart Association and the survivors, fighters, future fighters, and those who have fought by either donating, wearing red, walking in the Heart Walk, getting information on how to live a healthier lifestyle, or all of the above.
Join me in advocating against heart disease and stroke. To make a tax deductible donation, click here now. Click a mouse, mend a heart! Thank you for your donation and support as I strive to meet our fundraising goals and I hope to see you on April 19th at the Heart Walk!!!
-Magan Link
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