The 2019 Pike County Heart Walk to benefit the American Heart Association is set for Thursday at the Troy Recreation Center. Registration will be from 5 until 5:30 p.m. A light meal will be served and the Heart Walk will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Tracey Davis, co-chair of the Heart Walk said, this year’s walk will be a little different from recent years.

“This year we are going to give door prizes for the walk rather than prizes for laps walked,” Davis said. “But we are encouraging everyone to walk around the indoor track. Downstairs, we’ll have a lot for participants to do. Jacob Fannin with Shady Grove Tactical will have a CPR dummy available and will demonstrate life-saving techniques, including the proper way to apply a tourniquet.”

Students from the Troy University health and biology departments will have models available to help Heart Walk participants better understand the workings of the human body and the relationships between different parts of the body and how they work together.

Members of the Pike Internal Medicine staff will be available to answer health-related questions and to give blood pressure checks.

A nutritionist will be available to talk with participants about healthy eating and offer suggestions for heart healthy meals.

Entertainment for the 2019 Pike County Heart Walk will be provided by DJ Hendock Henry Everett. Ralph Black of WTBF Radio will be the emcee for the annual event.

“We encourage everyone to come to the Troy Rec Center Thursday night and enjoy the fun and fellowship of the annual Heart Walk,” Davis said. “There will be a lot to do and a lot of ways to learn about being heart healthy. Of course, the Pike County Heart Walk is a fundraiser for the American Heart Association and donations are always welcomed.

“Last year, the Pike County Heart Walk raised $35,000 and that’s about the amount that is usually raised each year. So, I guess we could say that $35,000 is our goal for this year.”

Davis expressed appreciation to all members of the Pike County Heart Board, to the walk’s sponsors and to the many individuals who contribute.

Davis said it takes everyone working together to make the Pike County Heart Walk a success.

“By working together, we can defeat heart disease and stroke,” she said.