As Middlesex County residents and businessmen, we want to say "thank you" to Middlesex County. Like all Americans, everyone at the American Heart Association, and involved with Middlesex County American Heart Walk, was saddened by the tragic events of Sept. 11. Both President George Bush and Mayor Rudy Giuliani encouraged us to move forward and resume our lives. Under trying circumstances, we did.
American Heart Walk demonstrated the strength and resolve of our communities and people, and we’re proud to share that 1,100 people at Middlesex County College helped raise a record $194,000 to support the important work of the American Heart Association and its mission to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Featuring the theme "Step Out, Save Lives! — Strengthen the Chain of Survival!," through Middlesex County American Heart Walk, we brought attention to the importance of "strengthening Middlesex County’s chain of survival" — a four-step process that can mean the difference between life and death for someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or other emergencies.
According to the American Heart Association, at least 220,000 Americans, young and old, die from sudden cardiac arrest annually, and the national survival rate is only 5-8 percent. A strong Middlesex County chain of survival means early 911, early CPR and early defibrillation — all in the first two to five minutes after sudden cardiac arrest.
The success of Middlesex County American Heart Walk can be attributed to so many. We want to acknowledge the special contributions to Middlesex County American Heart Walk by national presenting sponsor Archer Daniels Midland Co., proud makers of the NutriSoy brand; local 2001 gold level sponsors PNC Bank and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, major level sponsor DEVCO; and official media sponsors Cablevision Systems Corp., News 12 New Jersey, WDHA 105.5 FM, and WCTC 1450 AM.
Money raised from American Heart Walk comes back to benefit everyone in Middlesex County. Since 1948, the American Heart Association has invested more than $1.9 billion in cardiovascular research. Thanks to the community’s support of 2001 American Heart Walk, more Middlesex County people will have a fighting chance to beat sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack, heart disease and stroke.
Our sincere thanks go out to the Middlesex County community. Help strengthen Middlesex County’s chain of survival. Learn CPR and support the widespread availability of defibrillators. Please join us at 2002 American Heart Walk. For more information about heart disease and stroke, call the American Heart Association at 1-800-242-8721.
Larry Daniels and
Chris Paladino
2001 Co-chairmen, Middlesex County
American Heart Walk
New Brunswick