Hundreds Slated to Participate in 黑料吃瓜's Heart and Stroke Walk
Students, faculty and staff across campus are preparing, and raising money, for the Sept. 18 event.
While on his last military deployment in Afghanistan in 2011 and only months before he would retire from the U.S. Marine Corps, Todd Kennedy received news that his mother had had a heart attack.
While his mother, Inez Kennedy, recovered back home in the United States, Kennedy recalls the difficulty in not being able to support her through her illness, and wanting more to happen in support of those who experienced such painful circumstances. 鈥淪he had a good recovery, but it was rough not being physically able to support her during that time,鈥� said Kennedy, director of 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 Military and Veterans Program.
When he heard 黑料吃瓜 was participating in San Diego American Heart Association鈥檚 (AHA) 2021 Heart and Stroke Walk, he quickly decided to volunteer as a coach and convene a team. Called Team MVP, the group is among more than two dozen already organized to raise funds in support of heart disease and stroke prevention and to take part in the Sept. 18 event.
鈥淥rganizations like the American Heart Association are instrumental in providing help for those in very unique situations,鈥� Kennedy said.
A committee led by Steven Hooker, dean of the College of Health and Human Services, is leading the charge to convene and help train 黑料吃瓜 and 黑料吃瓜 Imperial Valley volunteers to participate in next month鈥檚 event. Hundreds of 黑料吃瓜 students, faculty and staff are expected to raise funds and participate, and can still register on the .
鈥淪ince May, we have been identifying individuals on our campus who pledge to serve as champions for health and health equity, and I am personally appreciative of the many people who have volunteered to serve in support,鈥� Hooker said.
Director of Aztec Recreation Mark Zakrzewski convened Team Rec, which, like other teams, has already raised funds toward the more than $7,700 the university community has raised through Aug. 23.
鈥淗eart disease and stroke impact so many lives each year,鈥� Zakrzewski said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to bring awareness and raise funds to support efforts to find treatments and cures.鈥�
Zakrzewski said he is committed to the effort for personal reasons after his father-in-law suffered a stroke last year. 鈥淚t was really tough seeing the impact the event had on him and our family,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y participation in this walk is dedicated to him.鈥�
Amanda Lee of the School of Social Work also convened a team.
鈥淎s a social work educator, it鈥檚 important to lead by example,鈥� said Lee, the school鈥檚 field education director and Integrated Behavioral Health Program coordinator. 鈥淭he joy and meaning in giving my time and energy to a cause that benefits the community is something I want to model for our students.鈥�
The event connects Lee鈥檚 love of walking with her desire to be connected to an effort that helps improve lives.
鈥淚t's been such a difficult time for all,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淗aving something to get excited about and look forward to as a team is important for morale.鈥�
