CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Nov. 3, 2022 — More than 320 riders participated in the American Stroke Association’s CycleNation event on Sept. 15 at Transamerica in Cedar Rapids, raising more than $60,000 to stop the cycle of stroke across the nation.

The stationary-cycling event featured 54 teams coming together to pedal for a purpose.

  • Funds raised through CycleNation benefit the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association - the leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all.
  • Photos from the event can be viewed and downloaded from the American Heart Association Iowa Facebook page. Credit goes to the American Heart association.
  • Individuals can still donate to CycleNation by visiting www.cyclenation.org/CedarRapids.

“CycleNation is more than a program – it’s an active movement empowering people across the country to get their bodies and brains in gear through all types of cycling – stationary or otherwise,” said Zach Harris, chief operating officer at Transamerica and chair of Cedar Rapids CycleNation. “We are thankful for all the teams and individuals who came out to support the movement.”

At the conclusion of the event, the top individual and team fundraisers collected awards. Award winners for 2022 Cedar Rapids CycleNation were:

  • Top Fundraising Team: Wheels of Capital and team captain Brenda Calman
  • Top Fundraising Individual: Ara Ispentchian of the GTS Pedaling Maniacs

In addition to the ride, participants enjoyed refreshments and games in the Transamerica parking lot. They also heard powerful survivor stories from Maria Lueken and her daughter, Reegan.

  • Maria, senior director of legal and compliance operations at Transamerica, shared the story of her aortic aneurysm at age 26. Reegan, a ninth-grader, shared the story of her stroke at age 13.

Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability in older age. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 800,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke every year.

The Cedar Rapids CycleNation event is a signature event of the American Heart Association’s Heart Challenge program, which is designed to help companies positively impact employee overall health and wellbeing. The program is anchored in a series of events that inspires employees to be more engaged, reconnect with colleagues, get in their physical activity and have fun doing it.

Cedar Rapids CycleNation is sponsored by Transamerica.

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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.orgFacebookTwitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

 

For Media Inquiries:
Bryan Geelan: 515-414-3204; bryan.geelan@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org