The 2018 Pike County Heart Walk is Thursday night at the Troy Recreation Center and everyone is invited to attend in support of the efforts to eliminate heart disease as the number one killer of Americans and all people worldwide.

Tracy Davis, Pike County Heart Walk board chair, said the annual Heart Walk is a community wide event and activities have been planned with families in mind.

The 2018 Pike County Heart Walk will be from 5:30 until 7:30 pm. Thursday.

The activities will officially get underway at 6 p.m. with the invocation by the Rev. Den Irwin, St. Martin of Tours Catholic Parish, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Zack Scott. Ralph Black will be the master of ceremonies.

“The first lap around the track is reserved for the Survivors Walk and we want to honor all survivors of heart disease and stroke and celebrate their victories,” Davis said.  “Then, the kitchen will open and we’ll have a light meal of sandwiches, Granola bars, snacks and water.”

The Heart Walk for prizes will be from 6 until 7 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in several divisions, according to the laps walked. Cash prizes of $250 will be awarded to the heart attack/stroke survivor who walks the most laps and to the Heart Walk participate who walks the most laps. Prizes will be awarded in different divisions including a three-month membership to the Troy Recreation Center and gift cards from local businesses.

Davis said Lenny Trawick, singer/musician, would provide the entertainment for the evening.

“We will have a kids’ corner with games and activities for all ages,” Davis said. “We’ll have a photo booth that’s lots of fun. Several members of the Troy University football team will be there and will sign autographs and have pictures taken with the kids.”

Davis said the 2018 Pike County Heart Walk will be a fun event as well as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association.

The AHA funds more research into cardiovascular diseases and stroke than any organization except for the federal government. The AHA has funded more than $4 billion in research since 1949.

Cardio vascular disease accounts for about one of every three deaths in the United States. About 2,300 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of one death every 38 seconds.

That’s why we walk, Davis said.