Just the Facts Baby!

So, I'm a facts girl. Don't give me the "perhaps" or "maybe" when you give me information. Make it true and know what you are talking about, period.

Sounds a bit heartless huh? Well, the fact is these days seem to be all about HEART in my house. I happen to have the privilege to volunteer for the American Heart Association and have learned some pretty startling facts about heart disease and stroke that I knew nothing about! 

In honor of American Heart month, let give you some of the facts:

• Every 38 seconds, someone still dies of cardiovascular disease and heart disease and stroke remain the number 1 and number 3 killer in our country.

• Heart Disease is the number one killer in women. (Did you know this? I had no idea...that is why this information is SOO important!)

• Last year, in California, the American Heart Association awarded research funding worth more than $9.8 million dollars to 107 scientists. (Despite this, each year worthy research projects are not funded, which represent lost opportunities and lives.)

This year, make a difference. Become informed and tell someone you know.  Largely, heart disease is preventable. If your parents had or have heart disease, you are at greater risk. But, there are things you can do to lower your risks!  Mostly, lifestyle modification (you know, the whole eat right sleep right and move your body.) Check out www.hearthub.org to take a little quiz and see if you are at risk of heart disease or stroke and how to start getting healthy!

The American Heart Association has an amazing website that is filled with information, tools (a fun, fact filled curriculum for educators also, printables, and all!) and lots of ways to begin living a heart healthy life. www.Heart.org 

One way to start today is signing up for the Temecula Valley Heart Walk! April 21 will be our second annual walk here in Temecula and we have some wonderful things in store! It is a 5K Walk or Run to help raise awareness and raise funding for research and education. It is free to register and walk so start a team today! It is easy, just go to www.temeculaheartwalk.org and sign up. If you aren't part of a team, join mine: The Rawlings Beat :)  I'd love to have you!

This walk is a great opportunity for our community to come together and rally behind this important cause! It is a family event with a Kids Fun Run, music, line dancing and Zumba, Prizes and even a Health Fair.  It is right at our very own beautiful Lake Skinner and the walk is gorgeous!  A great way to spend a Saturday.

Also, we are having a T-shirt design contest for kids ages 4-18 for the shirt this year.  You can check out the information on the flier attached, just click on the thumbnail.  If you need more information, feel free to contact me.  (tell a friend or pass the flier along to your artist pals!)

Whoosh...a lot to chomp on!  Get moving and hope to see you at the Walk on April 21st and the fact is...being part of an amazing community warms my heart! Really!