I know from experience how heart disease can impact people and their families, and so I’m proud that Frito-Lay, again this year, supports the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Dallas Start! Heart Walk, taking place on Saturday, Sept. 12.
Nearly 10 years ago, my father had a heart attack while on vacation in Naples, Fla. My sister, Bonnie, and I immediately flew to Florida to see him in the hospital, and at first, his prognosis was not good. However, thanks to superb medical care, he recovered more quickly than expected, and about six months later, he won a golf tournament for seniors.
Unfortunately, our dad passed away from heart disease almost three years ago. According to the AHA, in almost every year since 1900, cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounted for more deaths in the United States than any other cause. And, nearly 2,400 Americans die of CVD every day. The AHA supports research, education and community programs designed to help prevent CVD and aid patients in their recovery.
To do our part, for the second consecutive year, Frito-Lay is the Presenting Sponsor for the Dallas Start! Heart Walk, and Al Carey, Frito-Lay's Chairman and CEO, is the event chairman. As part of the sponsorship and our ongoing health-and-wellness commitment, Frito-Lay actively encourages employees and their families (pictured below at last year's walk) to participate in the 3-mile walk and to raise money to help fight heart disease. We also encourage employees to take advantage of the AHA’s educational materials about preventing heard disease, and make changes to their lifestyles to improve their health.
This year, Frito-Lay will donate $150,000 to the Dallas Start! Heart Walk, and we estimate employees will donate and raise an additional $150,000 for the cause. So far, more than 500 employees and their families have registered for the walk.
After the walk, participants can sample SunChips multigrain snacks in the Frito-Lay booth. According to the FDA, diets rich in whole grains and low in saturated fats may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Each 1-ounce serving of SunChips contains 18 grams of whole grains and only 1 gram of saturated fat per serving, and, like the rest of Frito-Lay’s snack chips, have 0 grams trans fat.
The American Heart Association expects more than 30,000 people to attend the Dallas Start! Heart Walk this weekend and to raise an estimated $3.4 million. You can learn more about the Dallas Start! Heart Walk -- and similar events taking place in other communities in the United States -- on the AHA Web site.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to participate in this year’s Dallas Start! Heart Walk, since I’ll be attending my 45-year high school reunion. (I know, wow, 45 years). But our employees and their families will represent Frito-Lay well, offering support and funding to help the thousands of Americans, like my father, who suffer from cardiovascular disease.
It’s not too late – register to walk in this year’s Dallas Start! Heart Walk!
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