Winston-Salem State participates in annual Heart Walk

Approximately 200 people from the Triad, including several Winston-Salem State students participated in the annual American Heart Association Heart Walk Oct. 17.

Campus Life Marketing Committee and the Honors Program represented WSSU.

  "I'm walking because heart disease and stroke run in my family," said Jasmine Green, junior, exercise science major. "My grandfather and grandmother both had a stroke. 

"I want to break the cycle." Green is a member of CLMC.

 "I'm walking today because I realize how heart disease affects the African American community," said Courtney Ballard, freshman, nursing major and a member of CLMC. 

"I want to do what I can to prevent it, starting now."

Local businesses, corporations and non profits set up booths to distribute information about the risks of stroke and heart disease.

 "From this walk we are able to raise funds for research and prevention education," said Sarah Fedele, director of communications and marketing for the American Heart Association.  

 "We have to do a lot in the community to alert people of the risk factors. 

"This event is a celebration for survivors, but it is also a way to get the word out and provide information to the community about stroke.    

"This year it was slightly difficult to get sponsors; however, we ended up having more individual walkers," Fedele said. 

Representatives from the Forsyth Stroke & Neurovascular Center provided magnets, booklets and pocket-size prevention cards about the risks of stroke.

Baptist Hospital provided hand sanitizers, stress balls, and demonstrated CPR on mannequins. 

"We are trying to educate not only the African-American community, but also the Caucasian community and others," said Catrina Hood, junior healthcare management major.  

Hood also works with the Forsyth Stroke & Neurovascular Center. 

WSSU alumna class of '75 Gladys Campbell said that everyone was there to reach out and make a difference.