Stroke remains the No. 5 killer, and the leading cause of disability in the United States. The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is again hosting CycleNation Waterbury to raise awareness about that fact – and to raise the funds to change the statistic.
Waterbury Hospital’s CEO, Lester Schindel is chairperson of this year’s campaign which will be a “Ride-Where-You-Can” as well as a Digital Experience online. Participants can create a team, or ride solo while virtually supporting a cause they are passionate about, cycling for stroke awareness and support for the work of the American Heart Association. Waterbury HEALTH teams will have activities and inter-team competitions during the last week of the event.
“I’m so excited to chair the re-imagined digital CycleNation 2021,”said Schindel. “This is great community and team building event that benefits a great organization. We hope to raise funds for future research in both stroke and heart disease, and by moving to a digital platform we can reach even more people.”
Starting on April 27, participants can track their cycling or other fitness activity by downloading the CycleNation app. Activities can include stationary biking, riding a bicycle outdoors, walking, running. Said Schindel, “The challenge is simple. Strive to get active as much as possible in the month and set a fundraising goal to support the Heart Association in Connecticut.”
“CycleNation is a great activity because it brings everyone together to talk about stroke awareness, said Bill Lee, a director with the American Heart Association in Wallingford . “The more people who can recognize the symptoms of a stroke and the more we can prevent a recurrence of stroke, the healthier we’ll be.”
Stroke remains the No. 5 cause of death in Connecticut and the United States, accounting for nearly 130,000 deaths. Recent studies suggest that physical activity, like cycling, can help maintain strong brain function, processing speed, and mental sharpness. In addition, cycling is known to strengthen heart muscles and reduce cholesterol.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a health advice. We would ask you to consult a qualified professional or medical expert to gain additional knowledge before you choose to consume any product or perform any exercise.
