Registration Open for Hearts in Motion Awareness Walk Sept. 27
Photo: Courtesy of SIUC
Registration is now underway for the annual Hearts in Motion Awareness Walk, coming to Becker Pavilion and Campus Lake at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Saturday, Sept. 27. Sponsored by the SIU nursing program, Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) and SIH Prairie Heart Institute, the event is both a fundraiser and a public awareness activity focused on heart health.
“This event is more than a walk; it’s about raising awareness around cardiovascular disease and encouraging our community to take steps toward healthier habits,” said Garrett Burton, DNP, SIH cardiovascular and trauma services system director. “It’s inspiring to watch SIU nursing students step into their roles as community health advocates. They’re not just learning how to care for patients at the bedside; they’re learning how to educate, engage and promote health in our region.”
This is the third year SIU nursing students have taken a lead in this event, according to Debra Penrod, assistant professor of nursing in the College of Health and Human Sciences’ School of Health Sciences.
“Our students will be doing cardiac health activities, including health screenings, educating participants and more,” Penrod said. “The proceeds from this event go toward enabling Prairie Heart and SIH to do more cardiac health community outreach. My dream is to get the entire campus and a lot of the community involved in this event.”
Hearts in Motion will also provide family-friendly fun and children’s events. Leashed pets are welcome, and logoed pet bandanas will be available for $13.
Participants can register at sih.net/heartsinmotion through Sept. 12. Registration is $20 per person, with a discounted $10 rate for health care professions students and heart disease survivors. Check-in begins at 8 a.m., with an abbreviated walk at 9:30 a.m. and the full walk at 10 a.m.
“My hope is that this event becomes a cornerstone of our cardiovascular outreach—bringing the community together in a meaningful way,” Burton said.