American Heart Association Heart Walk Saturday at A&M International

The Laredo Chapter of the American Heart Association and Texas A&M International University will host the American Heart Walk on the A&M International campus, in front of the Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the walk will begin at 8:30 a.m.

University President Dr. Ray M. Keck III is the Honorary Chair for the Walk this year and says the University community is excited to participate.

"The University will walk as one unit, with departments or colleges providing team captains. The Laredo community is also invited and the Heart Association expects more than 300 people to participate and hopes to raise $30,000. We are so pleased to be able to offer our beautiful campus as the setting for this worthy event and hope that everyone will come out and join us," Dr. Keck said.

The City of Laredo will provide an Emergency Medical Services Unit on campus throughout the event. In addition, the City will also be bringing a demonstration clean fuel vehicle for display in front of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.

The walk route begins at the Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade and winds past Anthony J. and Georgia A. Pellegrino Hall, Dr. F.M. Canseco Hall, Bob Bullock Hall, in front of the Killam Library and back down the side of C Building and Pellegrino H to the starting area. Refreshments and water will be provided for walkers.

Heart Association staff and volunteers will begin arriving on site at 6 a.m. on Saturday. Local Heart Association representative Luis Garcia, division director, and Jessica Palacios, local volunteer and A&M International's Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade staff assistant will coordinate the event.

For more information, please contact Jessica Palacios at 326.2820, visit offices in the Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade, room 203 or email jpalacios@tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu