Heart Walk: Keesler team hits pavement for fundraiser Published Sept. 24, 2008 By Keesler News Staff 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AFB, MISS. -- More than 300 Keesler members are registered to walk in the annual 4.2 mile Mississippi Gulf Coast American Heart Walk, 7:30 a.m. Oct. 4 at Jones Park in Gulfport. The purpose of the event, sponsored by the American Heart Association, is to raise awareness and funds to support the fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke, which are the nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, according the the AHA's Web site. Attention is focused on exercise in an effort to promote a "heart-healthy" lifestyle. "The Heart Walk is a great event to help the American Heart Association raise the funds needed to continue their vital research," said Brig. Gen. Greg Touhill, 81st Training Wing commander. "Through its efforts, we've seen significant drops in the incidents of heart disease and stroke, yet more work needs to be done. "I am hopeful that Keesler personnel will lace up their walking shoes and join us for this event, have some fun, and exceed last year's contributions," the general added. The event includes participants from all along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Last year's Gulf Coast walk had more participants than the Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans walks, despite south Mississippi's smaller population.As of Sept. 23, Keesler members already have raised $8,596, and that number continues to rise as more people pledge time and money for the event. Last year, 230 Keesler members walked and raised $9,421. Sept. 30 is the deadline for donations. Nationwide, more than a million Americans participate in more than 450 Heart Walks across the country. "Some of the volunteers participate in the walk because they have been affected personally by heart disease," said Master Sgt. Christina Wolfe, 45th Airlift Squadron, who's coordinating Keesler's participation along with her husband, Master Sgt. Shawn Wolfe, 81st Training Support Squadron.Walkers in the event wearing special red baseball caps with the words, "Fight back," have survived either heart disease or stroke. For more information and a list of Keesler unit representatives, call Sergeant Wolfe, 377-5347, or visit http://gulfcoastheartwalk.kintera.org. Staff Sgt. Tanya Holditch, Keesler News editor, and Susan Griggs, staff writer, contributed to this report.