The American Heart Association (AHA) has partnered with thousands of companies across the country to improve employee heart health with this year’s Heart Walks.
The walks will bring together over 1 million people from 15,000 companies across the nation, according to the AHA.
“We are thankful to our dedicated corporate partners and their engaged employees who are participating in this important community cause to create healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke,” Nancy Brown, AHA's CEO, said in a press release. “The AHA Heart Walks offer a unique opportunity to bring together passionate survivors and community members to not only raise lifesaving funds but also raise healthy heartbeats.”
Since 1992, Heart Walks have raised over $1.5 billion to bolster research, education, prevention and community efforts which are funded by the AHA. Many of the companies that are participating have seen enthusiastic support from some of their chief executives.
“By supporting AHA, we not only support our community, but the lives of our friends, families and customers affected by heart disease,” John Donavan, chief strategy officer and group president of technology and operations at AT&T, said in the release. “I am proud of our employees for their dedication to this cause, and am honored that we get to be a part of it.”
UnitedHealth Group executive leadership echoed Donavan's statement.
“UnitedHealth Group is grateful for the opportunity to support the American Heart Association and the many Heart Walks it hosts every year,” Dirk McMahon, UnitedHealth Group’s executive vice president of enterprise operations, said. “The Heart Walks help inspire our employees to adopt long-lasting healthy habits and raise funds for educational and outreach programs that enhance their communities’ health and well-being.”
Pierre Habis, Union Bank’s head of consumer banking and enterprise marketing, said in the release that the bank is proud to support the AHA.
“Union Bank commends fellow corporate partners who, like us, believe that rallying employees around the American Heart Association’s mission of preventing heart disease and saving lives is a worthwhile endeavor that unites and gives us all a greater sense of purpose,” Habis said. “For more than 30 years, we have been a proud supporter of the AHA, and we are extremely pleased to be among the country’s top fundraising teams.”
