SEATTLE, September 25, 2023 —The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all, will host two Puget Sound Heart and Stroke Walk events this fall. The Seattle event will be held on Saturday, October 14 at Seattle Center and the Tacoma event will take place on Saturday, October 21 at Cheney Stadium. Both events will celebrate heart and stroke survivors, raise lifesaving funds and encourage physical activity to improve heart and brain health. 

About 9,000 walkers are expected to participate in Seattle and Tacoma and the family-friendly events kick off at 8:30 a.m. The Association has set a fundraising goal of $1.3 million, under the volunteer leadership of Mark Mitchke, 2023 Puget Sound Heart and Stroke Walk chairperson and president and chief executive officer of Delta Dental of Washington.

“The American Heart Association and Delta Dental of Washington are aligned in our desire to support whole body health and well-being,” Mitchke said. “The Heart and Stroke Walk aims to inspire members of our community to make healthy choices, including staying active and getting good nutrition. Every walker who joins and every dollar donated supports the American Heart Association’s mission to build healthier lives by advancing cardiovascular research, improving access to care and nutrition security for all.”  

The theme of this year’s Heart and Stroke Walk is “I Walk to Save Lives.”  Walk participants are invited to express, share and be inspired by the reasons why they and others walk. Amy Matson is walking in the Seattle event to support survivors like herself and to raise awareness of spontaneous coronary artery dissection and complex coronary artery disease. 

“Participating in the Heart and Stroke Walk event is extremely important to me,” Matson said. “I started walking to support friends and family members who were touched by heart disease and stroke. Then, I suffered my own heart event. I believe that one day there will be a cure and each time I walk and donate, I know I am moving science one step closer to that cure.” 

Participants can register for the Puget Sound Heart and Stroke Walk by visiting PugetSoundHeartWalk.org. From there, they can create personal fundraising pages, download the Heart Walk mobile app, and encourage family and friends to join. 

Funds raised from the Puget Sound Heart and Stroke Walk go toward research, advocacy, CPR training and to promote better health in support of the Association’s 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal, reducing barriers to health care access and quality. 

Event information:

Registration and event information: PugetSoundHeartWalk.org 

Festivities start at 8:30 a.m. 

Walking begins at 10:00 a.m. 

The event starts and finishes at Fisher Pavilion in Seattle and inside Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. 

The non-timed course has 3-mile and one-mile options. Survivors can ring the bell upon crossing the celebratory finish line. 

 

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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 the American Heart Association in Washington on heart.org/PugetSound, Facebook, Instagram, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.  

For Media Inquiries:

Francesca Minas: francesca.minas@heart.org

Valerie Koch: valerie.koch@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org