USF Nursing Team Takes Part in 2012 Heart Walk
More than 15 faculty and staff members from University of South Florida College of Nursing participated in the 2012 Heart Walk as part of the USF Bull Nurses team to raise money for the American Heart Association (AHA) to help fight heart disease and strokes. The Heart Walk took place at the Raymond James Stadium on November 10, 2012.
Jason Link, USF Nursing Computer Support Specialist and Bull Nurses Heart Walk Captain, said the event was a great success and exceeded everyone’s expectations. According to Link, the Nursing team helped raise $2,890, surpassing the College’s goal of $2,000. Link is a . Cassandra Vonnes, MS, ARNP-BC, FAHA, Instructor and Team Coordinator for Morton Plant Mease, Debra Friedrich, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C, CLS, FNLA, Assistant Professor and Concentration Director of Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and student Curtis Andrews from USF College of Nursing, were Co-Captains for USF Bull Nurses Heart Walk.
Many of the 546 walkers on 36 University of South Florida teams that participated in the walk on Nov. 10th gathered for this photo. All the USF teams, including the College of Nursing team, together raised a total of $39,000.
“First off, I would just like to thank everyone for all of their donations and energy put towards this great cause,” Link said. “The reason this charity event is so close to me is because, like so many other people, I have had close friends and family that have been affected by heart disease or stroke.”
Link said, one of the reasons why he became involved was because of one his best friends, who recently had heart surgery. “My friend had heart surgery in June, 2012 for aortic stenosis, and had an artificial aortic valve implanted,” Link said. “This really motivated me to try and get the entire College of Nursing involved.”
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Every year, about 600,000 people die of heart disease, and about 935,000 others have a heart attack in the U.S.
The data highlights the need for immediate action. The USF College of Nursing is doing its part to help reduce death and disability from cardiovascular diseases and strokes. The College joined AHA to help promote physical activity to build healthier lives and reduce heart diseases by 20 percent by 2020.
“I’m just glad I was able to play a small part in raising awareness, while at the same time being able to gain donations that fund research, community programs, and advocacy efforts,” Link said.
ENGAGE WITH US!