Tuscaloosa, Ala. – The Greater Tuscaloosa Heart Walk, to be held for the first time on The University of Alabama campus, will be March 12 at the UA Field Services Complex on the Intramural Fields.

The event, with sign-in at 8 a.m. and the walk at 9 a.m., is set up as a four lap walk or about 5K. This is a family friendly walk and activities for children will be provided. The non-competitive walk is geared to participation by forming teams of employees, family members, friends and others. Participants raise money to fight heart disease and stroke and then walk in the event.

“We live in an area where the risk and severity of heart disease and stroke are extremely high,” said Dr. Eugene Marsh, interim dean of the College of Community Health Sciences and chairperson of this year’s event. “The good news is that much of this is preventable through a close partnership between patients and their health care providers.

“By supporting the 2005 Greater Tuscaloosa Heart Walk, you can make a difference,” said Marsh. “In working with the American Heart Association in various capacities for the last 17 years, I have seen first-hand how this organization has had an impact on stroke and heart disease prevention through its support of research and education. I am proud to serve as chairperson of this year's Greater Tuscaloosa Heart Walk.”

Last year was the most successful heart walk in the Tuscaloosa area raising more than $100,000 and attracting more than 440 walkers. This year’s goal is to raise $150,000 with more than 700 walkers participating.

“This is an annual event that brings together teams of walkers in an effort to raise money, through individual donations, to support the community educational programs and to fund life saving research related to heart disease and stroke,” said Dean Mann, American Heart Association regional director.

For more information, visit www.americanheart.org or call 1-888-MY- HEART (1-888-694-3278).