March for Babies
April 26, 2008

Every baby is truly a miracle. Each and every newborn instills a sense of hope and wonder in all of us. You can help the March of Dimes give every baby a healthier start by joining March for Babies (formerly WalkAmerica) on Saturday, April 26.

The goal of the March of Dimes is to give every baby a healthy birth. But if something goes wrong, the March of Dimes is there. Through its NICU Family Support program, the March of Dimes offers comfort and information to families with newborns in critical care. The March of Dimes also supports research to the problems that threaten our babies including premature birth and birth defects, the leading causes of infant death. From prenatal education, to access to newborn screening tests, to innovative treatments and technology used neonatal intensive care units, the March of Dimes touches the lives of nearly every baby born today.

Through March for Babies, you can raise money to support critical programs that help babies survive and thrive. The March of Dimes is hosting March for Babies events in Portland at the Rose Quarter, in Vancouver at Pearson Air Museum and in Salem at Bush Park. All sites feature 10K and 3K Family Wonderwalk routes. Visit www.marchforbabies.org for more information.

The Arthritis Walk
Multiple Events in Oregon and Washington

The Arthritis Walk® is the Arthritis Foundation’s annual nationwide event that raises awareness and funds to fight arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. It’s a tremendous opportunity to help improve the lives of the 46 million men, women and children doctor-diagnosed with arthritis — 2.2 million of whom live in the Pacific Northwest. Get your company involved or recruit friends and family members to form a team. Walk in honor of a loved one with arthritis and know you’re making a difference by raising funds to support the research and improve the lives of people with arthritis.

The Arthritis Walk is a 5k walk, with a 1-mile option held in May to kick off National Arthritis Month. At the event, participants with arthritis are given blue Arthritis Hero hats recognizing the action they’ve taken to control their disease. Dogs get Arthritis too and are invited to join their owners. Walkers who raise $100 or more will earn an Arthritis Walk T-shirt and become eligible for other incentive prizes as well. Participants and spectators alike can visit the booths at the Health Fair that focus on educational information, services, products and research to help people affected by arthritis. There are also activities for children, refreshments, snacks, music and prizes for all to enjoy.

Arthritis Walks will be held in Washington and Oregon (see page 30 for dates). The money raised at the Arthritis Walks will be used to support research, programs and services people in the Pacific Northwest affected by arthritis and related diseases. For more information call 877-232-2898 or register online at www.arthritis.org

Start!
Greater Portland Heart Walk
May 17, 2008

Cardiovascular diseases — including heart disease and stroke — remain the number one cause of death in the Pacific Northwest and across the country. In fact, one in three American adults suffers from cardiovascular disease.

The American Heart Association is working in our community to help change those statistics through its Start! movement, designed to get people active by walking as a way to reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke.

The Start! Greater Portland Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s signature fundraising event designed to increase awareness about cardiovascular disease; raise money to fund lifesaving research, as well as education and community programs; and celebrate the success and steps people have taken throughout the year to improve their health.

The focus of the Start! Heart Walk is to:
Create Hope. The Heart Walk brings together people touched by heart disease and stroke. It honors survivors and allows individuals to pay tribute to loved ones impacted by these diseases.
Inspire Change. Get inspired to start living a life that includes physical activity and heart-healthy choices everyday.
Celebrate Success. Celebrate individuals and companies that have made significant changes, either personally or via programs, towards creating a heart-healthy lifestyle.

In addition to a 5k walk along the rivers (along with a 1.5k survivor route), the festival area will feature interactive exhibits and activities to help people take their own steps towards creating a healthier lifestyle. Games and an activity area will be featured, which will include free heart-healthy food, prizes, and giveaways.
Two Places to Walk a 5k:
Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade, Portland, OR, and Vancouver Landing, Vancouver, WA.

To participate, lead a team, or volunteer in the Start! Heart Walk, contact the American Heart Association at 503-233-0100.

Visit www.pdxheartwalk.org for online registration and event details.

New Event — Up the Crooked River Duathalon
May 18, 2008

This premier event will be held in the picturesque Central Oregon area of Prineville, where the deer and the antelope really still play. The event will benefit the Crook County High School Athletics Department and the Humane Society of Ochocos and is sponsored by Nature’s Bounty Health Foods and Supplements and Norm’s Extreme Fitness of Prineville.

This is a competitive event for both runners and walkers! Yes walkers are indeed invited to participate in what might be the very first event of its kind. The walking event will consist of a 2 mile walk, 10 mile bike, and 2 mile walk. Course monitors will be available for the walk/bike event. The running course will include a 5k run, 40k bike, and 5k run.

Participants will receive a medallion and T-shirt commemorating the event. An awards ceremony with a meal after the event will women, in each age group three deep.

There will be plenty of volunteers on the course. Start time for both races is 10:00 am. Go a day early and stay at Best Western for 20% discount when you mention this event.

Visit www.normsxtremefitness.com for more information.