The Pike County Chapter of the American Heart Association has begun the countdown to the annual Pike County Heart Walk set for 5 p.m. Thursday, February 23 at the Troy Sportsplex on Enzor Road.

The Pike County Heart Walk is the culminating event of the Pike County Chapter’s annual fundraising campaign to benefit the American Heart Assocaition.

But first things first.

In celebration of Pike Countians who are heart and stroke survivors, the annual Red Cap Breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Park Memorial United Methodist Church Family Life Center in Troy.

William Davis, event chairman, said the Red Cap Breakfast is hosted annually by Park Memorial’s Men’s Club. The club members prepare and serve the breakfast, which is a lead up event to the Pike County Heart Walk.

Davis said the member’s of the Men’s Club appreciate the opportunity to honor the heart attack and stroke survivors and their caregivers.

“We have sent out 160 letters to heart and stroke survivors and their spouses/caregivers inviting them to be our guests at the Red Cap Breakfast,” Davis said. “We update the survivors’ list each year but we still don’t have the names of all heart and stroke survivors here in Pike County. But all are invited and encouraged to come.”

Davis said those who are first-time honorees are asked to make sure to put their names on the mailing list when they register at the breakfast.

The guest speaker for the 2017 Red Cap Breakfast will be retired Troy Fire Chief Thomas Outlaw.

“Thomas is a heart attack survivor and I’m sure what he has to say will be interesting and inspiring,” Davis said.

The Park Memorial Men’s Club appreciates the opportunity to be involved with the Pike County Chapter of the AHA, Davis said.

“We always enjoy hosting the Red Cap Breakfast and we also sponsor a benefit pancake supper in the spring,” he said. “Half of the proceeds from the pancake supper are donated to the Pike County Chapter of the American Heart Association and half to Pike County Relay for Life.”

Davis encourages community participation in the Pike County Heart Walk on February 23.

Registration for the Heart Walk will begin at 5 p.m. and the walk will begin with the Survivors Walk at 5:30 p.m.