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PRESS RELEASE

  May 3, 2008 Release.
  For Immediate Release.
  Contact: Bonnie Arkus 609-771-9600

picture of Honorable Jon S. Corzine, Gov of NJ

WOMEN'S HEART FOUNDATION SETS PLANS FOR 5th ANNUAL RUN FOR MOM TO TAKE PLACE ON MOTHER'S DAY

New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine accepts role as Honorary Chair; Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is a Gold Sponsor; National Women's Health Week serves as a platform to educate and inspire women and to promote prevention programs in school-aged children


TRENTON, NJ - Governor Jon S. Corzine will serve as the Honorary Chair and invited guest of the Women's Heart Foundation's 5th annual Run for Mom event (formerly called "run for your heart") on Mother's Day at Mercer County Park-Marina that starts with registration at 8:00 A.M., being held in commemoration of National Women's Health Week May 11 - 17 in New Jersey. Assemblywoman Linda S. Greenstein will be featured as the opening presenter and County Executive Brian Hughes, race Grand Marshal.

"The Women's Heart Foundation annual Run for Mom on Mother's Day is a way to reach women and raise awareness about prevention and early intervention. One woman dies every minute in this country from heart disease. Unfortunately, it is a disease that often escapes diagnosis in women and alarmingly, it is a disease that is occurring now in younger people. We need to come together and speak with one voice so that we can make a difference in our own health and the health of future generations", said Assemblywoman Greenstein.

"The Women's Heart Foundation is grateful to Governor Corzine for serving as Honorary Chair of the Run for Mom event on Mother's Day, and to Assemblywoman Greenstein for agreeing to be our opening presenter", said Bonnie Arkus, WHF executive director. "It is only through education, advocacy and legislation that disparities in women's heart care may be rectified and risk factors in children reversed. There is much work to be done."

According to a recent journal article (JACC Nov13,2007), the rise in death rate between 1980 and 2002 in younger people aged 35-54, especially in women, represents a sentinel event and is a brewing storm in wake of the increased prevalence in obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and hypertension in younger adults. Obesity rates have doubled in adults and tripled in teens in the last decade. Genetic, environmental and social factors contribute to the obesity epidemic. According to the Nurses Health Study II, teen girls who are overweight, even moderately so, are at increased risk of premature death. Sixteen percent of Caucasian children are overweight, whereas twenty-three percent of Black and Hispanic children fall into this category. Hispanics are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent) related to abdominal obesity. Diabetes confers a 3-4 fold increased risk of heart disease in women when compared to men with diabetes.

"The Women's Heart Foundation is poised to make a difference through its Teen Esteem Health and Fitness Program© in schools", said Bonnie. "For three consecutive years, this comprehensive gym-alternative at the Trenton Central High School has identified vulnerable students at risk and provided an intervention proven effective at reducing their risk," she said. "We're seeing more risk factors this year than in previous years". The Teen Esteem© program is in its fourth year and continues to be implemented as a collaborative with the Rutgers University-Camden and other stakeholders. The program is funded by the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and the Princeton Area Community Foundation. Many of the Teen Esteem students will be serving as volunteers at the Run event.

The Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is a Gold Sponsor of the RUN FOR MOM event. Table sponsors include Roma Bank and the University Medical Center at Princeton. Media sponsors include The Times of Trenton, Packet Publications, Our Town and New Jersey 101.5 FM. In-kind support for the post-race buffet comes from Wegmans of Princeton and RJ Bagels of Ewing. Blood pressure screens will be offered by the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton Center for Health and Wellness. There will be door prizes and giveaways, organized children's games, and an award of $150 to the top Male and Female overall winners. The top corporate team with the largest number of registered participants will receive an engraved plaque. L&M Sports will officiate the scoring and timing and the Baldasari Race Management team will provide oversight. The Daly-Carlson-Jankowski families of New Jersey will be participating once again, representing TEAM NOREEN FOR WOMEN'S HEARTS, in memory of Noreen Daly Carlson.

Registration for RUN FOR MOM will begin at 8:00 a.m.; the 1-mile Family Health Walk at 9:00 a.m.; the 5K Run and Walk at 10:00 a.m. with an awards ceremony thereafter. There will be children's face-painting, fun runs, a DJ and other activities including a sale of refurbished jewelry with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Women's Heart Foundation. The first 250 run participants will receive a free T-shirt. Interested persons may pre-register for $22 at www.ACTIVE.com, or on Race Day for $27. For more information, go to www.runformom.org. For more information, you may contact the Women's Heart Foundation at (609) 771-9600 or by email: bonnie@womensheart.org.

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National Women's Health Week is an educational initiative of the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office on Women's Health that features the WOMAN Challenge - an eight-week walking program with virtual walk routes across America. The WOMAN Challenge starts on Mother's Day and women and girls can register at www.womenshealth.gov/woman. Another highlight of the Week is National Women's Check-up Day that occurs this year on May 12. It serves as a reminder to women to make health a top priority and to take simple steps for a longer, healthier and happier life. The DHHS recommends

  • Engaging in physical activity most days of the week

  • Making healthy food choices

  • Visiting a healthcare provider to receive regular check-ups and preventive screenings

  • Avoiding risky behaviors, like smoking and not wearing a seatbelt.


The Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is dedicated to making health care work by improving the health care experience for its members and the communities they serve.

The Women's Heart Foundation (WHF), the only non-governmental organization that implements heart disease prevention projects, is dedicated to improving survival and quality of life.

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