In the United States heart disease is the leading cause of death among both men and women. Each year in the U.S. about 610,000 people die of heart disease, that’s one in every four deaths.

Each year, the Pike County Chapter of the American Heart Association raises more than $30,000 for the American Heart Association’s fight against the deadly disease.

“The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke,” said Jimmy Phillips, chapter member. “The American Heart Association is working toward improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent by the year 2020. The Pike County Heart Chapter wants to do its part and more to help reach that goal.”

The Pike County Chapter is now canvassing for sponsorships for its 2019 fundraising campaign.

Phillips said sponsorships begin at $100 but the sky is the limit as to how high a sponsor wants to go.

“As the Pike County Chapter begins to canvas for sponsorships, it is well worth knowing that 80.2 percent of the American Heart Association’s total expenses is spent on the programs and services it delivers. Fundraising expenses are 11.9 percent and administrative expenses are 7.7 percent.”

Businesses as well as individuals are invited and encouraged to become sponsors.

“However, there are other ways to contribute to the American Heart Association through the Pike County Chapter. Donations may be made in memory of a family member or friend who has died as a result of heart attack or stroke or in honor of a survivor.

“The chapter will have a raffle and other fundraising and awareness events between now and the Annual Heart Walk at the Troy Recreational Center on February 21,” Phillips said. “The Pike County Chapter will host the annual Red Cap Breakfast for heart attack and stroke survivors and their caregivers on February 16 at the Family Life Center at Park Memorial United Methodist Church in Troy.”

But for now, the primary focus of the Pike County Chapter of the American Heart Association is to enlist sponsorships for the 2019 fundraising campaign.

For more information about sponsorships or memorial donations, call Phillips at 334-722-0349 or contact any member of the Pike County Heart Walk board.