The event, which starts at 8:00 a.m., benefits the American Heart Association, the largest voluntary health organization working to prevent, defeat and treat heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. The Heart Walk, which averages 5000 participants throughout South Florida, is an annual event coordinated to raise funds in an effort to increase awareness regarding the risks of heart disease.

NSU plans to raise $25,000 and have more than 300 students and employees participate in the walk this year. NSU is the highest company team participating from Broward County, announced Mia Widmar, a Heart Walk representative.

In addition to supporting the Heart Walk, NSU contributes to the research and education of heart disease through its advanced technological learning environment. Specifically, NSU was one of the first colleges equipped with “HARVEY,” a life-sized Cardiology Patient Simulator.  Through innovations like HARVEY, NSU is preparing the next generation of doctors to be more proficient in recognizing heart disorders.

Funds raised from the Heart Walk are used to conduct research, educate professionals and inform the public about cardiac disease. Medical discoveries and HARVEY-type advances in cardiac treatment result from these donations.  Visit the Heart Walk website at http://heartwalk.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=63816 to register to walk.