The American Heart Association of Southern New England held their annual Heart Walk at Mass-Dartmouth on May 21, 2016 to raise much-needed funds and to give people a chance to get some heart-healthy exercise in the process. "I'm here because I lost both my parents four and a half months apart to heart disease," noted Pauline Pavao of Dartmouth. "I said I needed to do something to give back to the community, to give back to help raise awareness. This is something that everyone can come and enjoy," she added. She was joined by iHeart Radio’s Kristin Lessard, Nancy Donnelly's Fitness Studio, and Lifespan Cardiologist Samuel Dudley Jr. before the walk began around the UMass-Dartmouth Ring Road two times. Another heart walk will be held in downtown Providence on June 5th. Besides being great opportunities to get some heart-healthy exercise, the walks provide a vehicle for the Heart Association to raise much-needed funds for research and education. According to Heart Walk Director Andrea Larocque, the walks are also a great opportunity for those who have made lifestyle changes to celebrate and to encourage others to take the pledge to live healthier lifestyles. Click here for a 19-minute video of the event. Click here for the Herald News article.  For more information, contact Amanda Komorek at 401-228-2325.

(Top row) Walkers gather and register on the UMass-Dartmouth athletic field including Saint Anne's Hospital Community Benefits Director Tracy Ibbotson and Grace and Roger Cabral of Bristol County Savings Bank. (Rows two and three) Walkers, including Elaine Couto of Joseph Abboud, right, warm-up with Nancy Donnelly's Fitness Studio as Saint Anne's Hospital Strategic Communications Director Anne Ferreira, Heart Walk Director Andrea Larocque and Hawthorne Medical Cardiologist Mike Rocha talk about the event on camera. (Row three) iHeart Radio’s Kristin Lessard, Lifespan Cardiologist Samuel Dudley, Jr , and Dartmouth resident Pauline Pavao speak to the crowd. (Row four and five) Children affected by heart disease are introduced before the Southcoast Brass Group plays the Star Spangled Banner to kick-off the walk. (Row six) Stephen Canessa, Patrick Keating, and William Burns of Southcoast Health, left, walk with others, including Partners Worksite Wellness Coordinator Angela Bras and her baby, right. (Row seven) Walkers pass some of the buildings, including Melissa Frances and her dog, Duke, and five-year-old Rylee Soares sitting on her father's shoulders. (Row eight, center and right) Fran Rocha and Jeanne Harding carry a banner for the New Bedford Wellness Initiative while Karen Sarmento and Julie Labreche share a laugh as they walk with the Southcoast Health group. (Bottom row) Ann Moniz, Jill Berube, Jess Boyer and Jack Domagaoa cheer walkers on as they complete the first of two laps around the campus.