Cardiovascular disease is Fall River's No. 1 killer. Physical inactivity significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Seventy-three percent of  Fall River residents don’t get enough exercise, blaming lack of time and lack of motivation. Ignoring fitness and health increases chances for disease. START WALK
is the American Heart Association’s national campaign that calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, heart-healthy lives through walking. Promoting physical activity through workplace walking programs can help employees reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke and lead longer, stronger, healthier lives. Representatives of the American Heart Association in Providence began enrolling teams from Fall River businesses and organizations during the last week of March, 2008, in advance of the May 3rd Heart Walk at Colt State Park in nearby Bristol, RI. For more information, contact Michelle Merritz, Corporate Event Director, at the American Heart Association, 401 331-1718.
 

(Top row, left) American Heart Association representative Michelle Merritz logs onto the START WALK web page that local teams can use to register for the walk. (Top row, center) Maureen Estes of the Fall River Health and Human Services Department looks over some of the registration materials. (Top row, right) Dawn Novo talks to Michelle to register a team from the Citizens-Union Bank. (Middle row, left and right) Susanne Worsley joins Dawn to help with the registration process on her lunch hour. (Middle row, center) A special page has been created to register teams in Southeastern New England at www.sneheartwalk.org.