Next weekend I will be participating in the Lawyers Have Heart 10K. This is my least favorite race as a runner, but I participate year in and year out (even when I broke my foot!) because the cause is so important to me.
If you’ve been around for a while, you know I lost my Dad to sudden heart failure six years ago. Before that happened I ran in the Lawyers Have Heart race to support my law firm’s team, but I ramped up my fundraising efforts after heart disease hit too close to home.
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Five Reasons To Support
The American Heart Association
Even if you don’t have personal reasons to support the American Heart Association, I hope you find one of these five reasons important enough to warrant a donation.
- The American Heart Association has an important mission.
Build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
2. The American Heart Association puts your donations to good use.
3. The American Heart Association knows heart disease is the #1 killer for women and is trying to do something about that with it’s Go Red For Women movement.
Do you know the different heart attack warning signs for women?
- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
As with men, the most common heart attack symptom in women is chest pain or discomfort. But it’s important to note that women are more likely to experience the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
Never hesitate to call 9-1-1 at the first warning sign.
4. Women are at a higher risk for stroke. I was surprised to learn that — are you?
5. Heart disease and stroke hit close to home for many of us. I hope you don’t haven’t a loved one impacted by heart disease or stroke, but if you do, you know you are not alone. These local survivor stories underscore the importance of the American Heart Association’s mission.
[Tweet “5 Reasons to Support @American_Heart @LHH10K #runchat”]
I’m joining the Friday Five link up at Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness. Before you head over there, here’s one more chance to help me support the American Heart Association!
Click on my face to make a donation!
Please come back and join us for coffee this weekend! The Ultimate Coffee Date link up will go live at 00:05 am on Saturday, June 3rd,
Is there a race you love to hate?
Do you support a cause that’s close to your heart?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
The AHA is a great organization and one that I’d be proud to support!
I’m so sorry that you suffered the loss of your dad. I’m glad this race is close to your heart even though it’s not a favorite.
Thanks. The course is not a favorite. The atmosphere is good though!
A great organization to support indeed! I have actually never done this race might do a last minute sign up this year will let you know. See you for coffee tomorrow
You should do it! They even have same-day sign-ups (I think) — a rarity around here!
I am sorry you lost your Dad that way. I lost my Dad when I was 19 – he had a massive heart attack while driving.
I recently found out my heart enlarged due to untreated high blood pressure…I am now on meds and I have it under control, so hopefully my risk rate is dropping.
This is a great organization and I can see why you support it so strongly. It’s always nice when we as runners can get behind a cause that is near and dear to us. For me that race is the Hope in Motion 5K/10K and walk that takes place this Sunday! I’ve done this event for years and the money raised goes to the Bennett Cancer Center at our local hospital. It’s such a worthy cause!
This is a great cause.
I run so many races because of the cause it supports not the race itself.
That’s such a great reason to race!
This is such a great cause and one that hits close to home as heart disease runs rampant on dad’s side of the family. It’s the reason I started running.
That is so awesome that you continue to run a race that you don’t particularly love because you are so passionate about the cause. Good luck in next weekend’s race!
There’s no one race I have to do each year, but I’ve done local races based on the beneficiary. It does feel good to do something for the community.
My grandmother passed away several years ago and after that, I did the local Heart Walk for many years and did a lot of fund raising for them. With my dad diagnosed with dementia, my focus has changed to the Alzheimer’s Association. But the AHA has and will always have a special place for me from the many years I was a part of it.
We have a variety of causes that are close to our hearts: Alzheimers, animal causes (shocking, I know), cancer probably top the list.
Although heart disease runs in my family, too.
Great cause! And wonderful for you to run in your dads memory! Good luck with your fundraising efforts!
Definitely a great cause to support! I had no idea that women are at a higher risk of stroke than men!
I love races that support a cause such as this. I’m trying to think if there’s any particular race that I love to hate (??) LOL It seems every year when I do the Fight for Air Climb, I find myself (in the second of four buildings) questioning why I come back every year because it’s so hot and physically tough…but I do love the challenge of doing something that a lot of people have no interest in even attempting. You know…that #badazzbeast thing LOL
The AHA is certainly a more than worthy cause to support. And yes, since I’ve recently discovered that despite my healthy eating and exercise, I have slightly high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol…all putting me at a higher risk of heart disease. Apparently, this is 70% genetic and only 30% diet/exercise.
Thanks for supporting this great cause and good luck with your run!
I am so sorry that you lost your father in such a way, but raising awareness and running in his honor is a great way to prevent the same tragedy happening to someone else!
We have heart disease in my family. It’s no good. I’m super paranoid that even though I take really good care of myself it won’t be enough because genetics are so powerful.
I think lifestyle has a big impact on heart disease, but you’re right, we can’t control everything — hopefully we can at least tip the odds in our favor.
This is a great cause, Im glad you can do a race that supports something so important to you!
So many races support great causes – I like picking a few that hit close to home.
Thanks for supporting AHA! I actually volunteered as an assistant coach when they started their START training program in San Diego several years ago. Heart disease is relevant to me as I have family history of it as well.
Very cool! There community programs are really great,
I’m not sure how, but I got on the mailing list with the AHA. They have a lot of great info!
They really do – and it’s usually very practical!
Sounds like a great race and for such a great cause. Many people don’t understand or know the risks of heart disease. Sorry about your dad.
This is such a great organization to support. Every year I keep saying that I’ll run this race and then something comes up. Maybe next year will finally be my year!