Thousands took part in last Saturday’s American Heart Association Heart Walk, held on the Vanderbilt campus.
Photo by Susan Urmy
Vanderbilt helps pump up annual Heart Walk event
Thousands of walkers fill the streets around Vanderbilt at the start of last Saturday's walk.
Photo by Dana Johnson
The message, and goal, for Saturday’s walk was clear.
Photo by Dana Johnson
Candice Duncan, 11, gets her face painted with hearts.
Photo by Dana Johnson
Kim Amsilli, right, an employee at the Dayani Center, and her sister, Lea, get ready to stroll.
Photo by Dana Johnson
Nashville put its best foot forward during the annual American Heart Walk Saturday, Oct. 28, drawing a record of more than 10,000 walkers to the Vanderbilt University campus.
Although money continues to trickle in to the local American Heart Association (AHA) offices, AHA administrators believe Vanderbilt will continue to be among the top fund-raising organizations in the nation and will most likely be able to claim the top individual fund-raiser in the nation as well — Fred DeWeese, vice president of Facilities Planning and Development.
“We know that the Vanderbilt team will bring in more than $300,000,” said Ashley Wrye, AHA communications director.
“Hitting over $300,000 should put Vanderbilt among the top fund-raising companies in the nation. And we see you there.”
With several large walks pending elsewhere in the nation, including Atlanta and Dallas, it is uncertain which walk will bring in the most money.
But one thing is for sure — great weather, volunteers and a Saturday event date brought walkers out in force.
Traditionally, the Heart Walk is held on Sunday afternoon, but organizers decided to change to a Saturday morning in hopes of attracting more support.
“We are always overwhelmed by the support we get from Vanderbilt,” Wrye said. “It's not just the walker support, but also by hosting the event itself. The outpouring from the community of volunteers and people willing to give up a Saturday morning to come walk with us makes us feel like we are doing the right thing.”
Nashville's annual walk to help in the fight against heart disease and stroke has consistently ranked among the top three walks nationwide, surpassed only by Seattle and Detroit.
One of the additions to this year's walk was the VIP tent, open to walkers raising $1,000 or more.
“This was a big success,” said Jill Forbert, marketing coordinator for Marketing Outreach and Promotions at Vanderbilt.
“We served over 200 omelets. The top fund-raisers not only enjoyed a full breakfast before the walk, but they also got massages.
“This was the first time we did this, and we definitely will consider doing it again next year.”
The AHA funds more than $4 million of research projects at Vanderbilt.