The Heart Foundation of Jamaica is hoping to raise at least $5 million from its annual ‘Run for Your Heart’ lapathon, which will take place later in November.

This year marks the 38th staging of the event, which aims to raise funds in order to maintain the foundation’s services to the public and buy medical supplies needed to keep it operational.

Despite heavy rain last Wednesday afternoon, several companies including title sponsor Proven (Wealth and Rock) and others such as NCB, as well as several schools including Hillel Academy, Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory and New Providence Primary, turned out to support the launch of the event at Emancipation Park in St Andrew.

Executive director of the Heart Foundation, Deborah Chen in her remarks noted that unfortunately, heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally, in the region and in Jamaica. She added that around 25 per cent of the population have high blood pressure, yet another 35 per cent are pre-hypertensive, and about 30 per cent have high cholesterol.

Chen said that exercise as well as healthy eating was important in combating these high numbers and so the foundation is encouraging persons to start or continue a healthy lifestyle.

She explained that on the last Sunday in November at the National Stadium, where the event is held, they hope to see various persons as well as teams coming out to show their support.

Chen highlighted that registration is now open and so companies and schools who have teams can contact the Heart Foundation, which is located on 28 Beechwood Avenue in St Andrew, where, after a team leader has been identified, the sponsorship forms will be distributed accordingly.

“It’s a sponsorship form where you collect sponsorship for the laps you have walked, run or jumped.sometimes persons can just make a donation, so one of the reasons we have the launch early is it takes time to go around and collect the pledges of sponsorship,” Chen told the audience.

She continued: “On the day itself, you will get a certificate of participation where we’ll tell you how many laps you have done, and this is what you’ll go back to your sponsors and collect the donations on behalf of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica.”

The executive director noted that on the day, persons and teams can come as early as 7:00 am to participate and that lanes will be designated for persons who wish just to walk at their own pace as well as persons who are more serious, such as marathon runners.

In the centre of the field various activities will be ongoing, such as aerobic activities, rock climbing and the annual tug of war event. Chen explained that the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is confirmed to participate, and efforts are being made to get the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Fire Brigade on board. If this does not work out, she said the JDF will go against civilians, as the activity is one of the highlights of the overall event.

While the foundation made just about $4 million last year, Chen is hopeful that this year’s minimum will be at least $5 million and go up to even $8 million, but said this depends on the numbers that turn out as well as the level of participation.

“What we are hoping is that the event will just be a catalyst for persons who may not have exercise as part of their everyday life to make it regular, if is even to come to Emancipation Park or a park near your home, or even to walk around your home in the evening — just to make exercise a regular part of your life,” Chen stated.

Following the event, members of the audience were invited to participate in the ceremonial walk as well as an aerobics session which took place on the stage, instead of on the grounds of the park, due to the rain.