'Move with the Mayor' dates in West Chicago
Residents, students, and elected officials of West Chicago will be taking steps in September to fight the No. 1 killer across the nation - heart disease.
West Chicago will be joining 10 other cities - Oklahoma City; Columbia, South Carolina; Green Bay; Arlington, Texas; Denver; Indianapolis; New Orleans; Los Angeles; Oakland, California; Toledo, Ohio; and Wichita, Kansas - in the Move with the Mayor Challenge, a monthlong series of walks to raise awareness about heart disease and ways to prevent it. Citizens of all ages are encouraged to participate.
The campaign, a partnership between the city of West Chicago, Healthy West Chicago and the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, with support from the staff and administration of West Chicago Elementary District 33, encourages the community to get out and walk with Mayor Ruben Pineda every Saturday morning in September leading up to World Heart Day Saturday, Sept. 29.
"I understand that we are all busier than ever with the demands of work, family and social commitments, but according to the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke, if we can find just 30 minutes a day to walk, we may add years to our lives," Pineda said.
John Clymer, executive director of the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, said walking is one of the easiest ways to lower a person's chances of heart disease and its risk factors, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. Research shows that all it takes to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke may be walking as little as 30 minutes a day.
Walks will be scheduled every Saturday in September with registration at 8:30 a.m. and walk starting at 9 a.m. Walks will begin at the following locations:
• Sept. 2: Currier Elementary School, 800 Garys Mill Road
• Sept. 9: Gary Elementary School, 130 E. Forest Ave.
• Sept. 16: St. Michael's Church, 108 Sherman St.
• Sept. 23: Reed-Keppler Park, 201 W. National St.,
An interactive map for each of the 30-minute Move with the Mayor routes is available on the city's website, westchicago.org.
"Just show up with comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water," Pineda said. "I'll be waiting for you."
If you go
What: Move with the Mayor walks
When: 8:30 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. walk Saturdays, Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23
Where: Different locations in West Chicago each week
Cost: Free
Info: westchicago.org