by Stephanie Struyck Elgin

Each year, heart disease kills more Americans than cancer, with cardiovascular disease and stroke being our nation’s number one and number three killer. In fact, heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more than 831,000 Americans every year. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death and disability in the U.S. and most European countries.  While countries face high and increasing rates of cardiovascular disease, many of these problems can be reduced or even eliminated with regular checkups, healthy living, exercise and healthy lifestyle habits.
Join the American Heart Association’s HeartChase, a new event to our community, on Sunday, November 20.  The event will provide a new and fun way to support the fight against heart disease and stroke.  Mix excitement from shows like The Amazing Race to team based games like Minute to Win It and you’ve got HeartChase!  Uncover clues, solve puzzles, complete challenges in this community wide competition, and engage in a series of checkpoints around town.  It will be a race to the finish line!  
“It is such a great honor to be the chairman of the inaugural HeartChase event here in my hometown,” states Chris Chegwin, Commercial Insurance Advisor for LBW Insurance and Financial Services, and Chairman of HeartChase.  “Too many people are dying of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in our community, but we have the power to change this. HeartChase is a fun and unique way to bring attention to and engage the community in a serious and important mission. I hope that my fellow Santa Clarita Valley residents will join me in the effort to save lives and build a healthier future for our community.”
Chris is actively involved in the community and currently serves as a Foundation member for the Child and Family Center and Chair of the Child and Family center Golf Tournament and Young Leadership Corps.  
HeartChase will begin at 9 a.m. at the Westfield Valencia Town Center (24201 West Valencia Boulevard).  The entry fee is only $40, and participants are encouraged to personally fundraise in their communities.  The goal of this year’s event is to raise $95,000.  Funds raised at HeartChase will help ensure that the American Heart Association can continue its pursuit to help fund research and assist scientists and doctors, helping them to better understand, treat and prevent cardiovascular disease; improve patient care, advocate for better health; and educate the public about heart disease and stroke risks, warnings signs and prevention.  The American Heart Association funded research has contributed to many important discoveries such as CPR, life-extending drugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery, the heart-lung machine and surgical techniques to repair heart defects.
For more information about the Santa Clarita Valley HeartChase, please call Jason Lustina at 213-291-7060 or visit http://tinyurl.com/HeartChaseValencia. To learn more about the American Heart Association, call 800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.heart.org.