Press Release by Larry Coker, Forney Independent School District

FORNEY – The Forney Independent School District (FISD), in association with The American Heart Association, will host a three mile Heart Walk on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Forney Community Park located at 241 S. FM 548. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. and the walk starts at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $13 per person and includes a t-shirt or $5 to walk and a “Go Red” pin. Proceeds from the Heart Walk go to benefit the American Heart Association.

February is Heart Disease Awareness Month and Forney ISD, with the support of the American Heart Association, has implemented a number of programs and events to help raise awareness to the number one killer of both men and women. Throughout the month the American Heart Association will coordinate events at various campuses and district wide to help FISD employees gain knowledge and information about nutrition, physical activity and other heart health related information.

During the first week of the month, district employees focused their attention on nutrition including how to read food labels, find heart healthy recipes and even tips on how to eat healthy when dining out. The second week of the month involved helping employees focus on physical activity which culminates with the Heart Walk on Saturday, Feb. 13. During the week of Feb. 15, employees will learn the risk factors and warnings signs of a heart attack and during the week of Feb. 22, employees will celebrate and share personal stories of heart healthy living.

This is the first year for the Heart Walk and organizers anticipate anywhere from 100-200 people will participate in the event.

For more information about the Forney ISD Heart Walk, contact Peggy Phillips, Forney ISD Health Coordinator at 972-564-4055 or by e-mail at peggy.phillips@forneyisd.net or Brooke Domek, Youth Market Specialist with the American Heart Association at 214-864-7996.