This year's Western Kentucky Heart Walk will be held Saturday, Oct. 20 at Noble Park.
Chris Roty, president of Baptist Health Paducah, and Mike Yungmann, Lourdes CEO, are co-airing the Heart Walk to show their cooperation in support against the nation's No. 1 killer, heart disease.
They invite other community leaders to join them at a luncheon Wednesday to learn how their organizations can support the event, too.
"Poor health takes a high economic and personal toll on all of us," Roty said, "so as leaders, we need to work together to change our culture."
Lost productivity due to poor health costs nearly $300 billion each year, and the cost of treating heart disease and stroke is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2030.
"That means at least one in every three employees will need expensive therapy for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or other condition,"
Yungmann said, "so you can see the need for immediate action."
Suzanne Riley, local representative for the American Heart Association, praised the joint effort of both hospitals to lead Heart Walk. "Both
hospitals have extensive cardiac programs," she said, "so they see firsthand the toll heart disease is taking on our friends and neighbors.
We appreciate their working together to make a difference."
The Heart Walk helps companies create an environment of wellness for their employees, who form teams to participate in the event.
Organization leaders interested in learning how they can get involved are invited to the luncheon at noon Wednesday, June 13, at the Emerging
Technology Center at Western Kentucky Community and Technical College. Riley requests RSVPs by Monday, June 11, at 270.519.9234.
Cardiologists Michael Faulkner, MD, of Baptist Health Heart Group, and Shawn Flynn, MD, of Mercy Cardiology Associates, will lead a panel
discussion at the luncheon; and Mercy Regional EMS will demonstrate hands-only CPR.
Teams may sign up, and individuals can donate at heart.org/westernkywalk.