UT Health to host Heart-Palooza May 27

May 26, 2015 | Events, UTMC
By Brandi Barhite



UT Health will host a Toledo Heart Walk pep rally Wednesday, May 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the mall area by Mulford Library.

UT Health employee and heart attack survivor Violet Townsend will be among the attendees. She will be available for media interviews.

“I will be celebrating my second chance,” the clerical specialist said. “It was scary having a heart attack. I went from not believing I had any heart issues to finding out that I had 70 percent blockage.”

The pep rally called Heart-Palooza is the precursor to the Greater Toledo Heart Walk, which will take place Saturday, May 30, at 8 a.m. at the Huntington Center in downtown Toledo.

UT employees, including Townsend, are participating with a goal of raising $40,000 for the University team. Dave Morlock, CEO of UT Health, is the chair of the 2015 Toledo Heart Walk.

“I challenged our employees to raise $40,000 for this worthy cause because we at UT Health understand more than anyone how crucial heart health is to a person’s quality of life,” Morlock said. “Millions of Americans live with heart disease, stroke or a cardiovascular condition. Money generated from this walk will help fund the valuable research, education and advocacy efforts of the American Heart Association.”

Games, food and education will be among the festivities at Heart-Palooza. Harvey J. Steele from K100 Country will broadcast live from the event, which is free and open to the public. Reel 2 Real Studio will provide music.

Participants can pick up their UT team T-shirts during Heart-Palooza. Those who want to sign up for the Heart Walk can do so at the event.

“This is a great time for UT employees to come together and get excited about the Greater Toledo Heart Walk,” said Andrea Jacobs, marketing coordinator for the Heart and Vascular Center at UT Health. “Even if you aren’t able to participate in the actual walk, you can donate on behalf of a person or you can just come and support our walkers.”

During Heart-Palooza, attendees can buy raffle tickets to win one of three prizes: an iPad, Fitbit or UT Health gift bag that contains branded merchandise and gift cards to Caffeini’s Coffee and the hospital gift shop. Tickets will be $1 for one; $5 for six; and $10 for an arm’s length of tickets. Proceeds from the raffle will go toward UT’s Health $40,000 fundraising goal.

For more information, go to heart.org/toledowalk.

heart walk poster

Click to access the login or register cheese