Start! Greater Boston

THE START! MOVEMENT

Start! is the American Heart Association's groundbreaking national campaign that calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, heart-healthy lives through walking. Philips Healthcare is the proud sponsor of the Start! movement in the Greater Boston area.

Start! Greater Boston Inspire Change Sponsor:

Heart Walk
Start! Walking Day
Lifestyle Change Award
Fit-Friendly Company Designation
Start! Greater Boston Upcoming Events
News Updates

JOIN US AT THE 2009 BOSTON START! HEART WALK

The Boston Start! Heart Walk is the cornerstone recognition and celebration event in Boston that gathers nearly 15,000 people to celebrate physical activity for a healthy life. This year, walkers will have the opportunity to learn even more about health and fitness through interactive activities for your family, friends, and co-workers. This non-competitive walk has a 1-, 3-, or 6-mile route giving everyone the opportunity to participate! Visit the Boston Heart Walk Web page for more details.

Brent Schafer is our 2009 Start! Heart Walk Chair.

Why We Walk See the video

I walk in recognition of the strength, courage, and fearlessness my five year old

daughter Josephine has displayed in her survival of congenital heart disease. She has undergone three open heart surgeries to repair her heart and is proud to participate in her "heart walk" every year. Our team honors every child affected by congenital heart disease and is committed to finding a cure and increasing awareness of the number one birth defect affecting children.
~ Josephine's Mom, Courtney Rizzo
I walk for my hero and 7 year old son Evan. Evan had TGA corrected 9/10/01 (the day before the World Trade Center). Despite one horrible tragedy, my son was saved that day. I walk for his courage and everyone else who has done the same!
~ Cindy Mitsakis, R.N.
I started walking in the Boston Heart Walk a few years ago. My daughter was born June 29, 2003 and was diagnosed with Moderate/Severe Pulmonary Stenosis at 4 hours old. I also now walk in honor of my mom who has heart disease and a few aunts and uncles who also are affected by it. ~ Elaine Hulak

If you or your company are interested in getting involved or starting a Heart Walk team of your own, please contact Aleah Graziano at 508-656-2022 or via email at aleah.graziano@heart.org.

National Start! Walking Day is a nation-wide call to action for American’s to adopt a healthier lifestyle through walking. Research shows you could gain two hours of added life expectancy for every one hour of regular, vigorous exercise. Join us on April 8 by wearing your sneakers to work and pledging to start a healthier life.

An estimated 150 individuals attended the Greater Boston's Start! Walking Day rally in Faneuil Hall on April 8, 2009. Even though there was a chill in the air we still had a great turn out from our Start! companies, Heart Walk companies, Fit-friendly companies, and survivors. It was even featured in the Globe the next day, on Ch. 7 and NECN! Some of the highlights included our treadmills with such media personalities as WRKO’s Tom Finneran, Rialto chef Jody Adams, NECN reporters Heidi Watney and Karen Swensen, 7NEWS’ Adam Williams, and Boston Blazers Dan Dawson and Mitch Belisle.

Start! Lifestyle Change Award
A major component of the Start! movement is the Lifestyle Change Award Program which helps employers recognize their employees who make changes that improve their quality of life and health. Those awarded will have achieved personal milestones such as: weight loss, lower blood pressure, more energy, etc. No change is too small, and every accomplishment is significant.

We are pleased to announce that Brian Bishop has been selected as the 2009 Start! Lifestyle Change recipient presented by Caritas Christi Health Care. Brian hails from Pelham, NH and his story begins at the young age of 28 when he suffered a heart attack. This was a wake up call for Brian when he found himself in a cardiac care unit among people who were much older than him. Once he was released from the hospital, he took small steps to improve his health through physical activity. Brian has lost over 100 pounds to date and now competes in triathlons. Brian is thrilled to have been awarded and is excited to get the word out about Start!.

Above, R-L Jared Fogle, National Subway spokesperson, poses with Brian Bishop, Lifestyle Change Winner from Pelham, NH. Brian lost 112 pounds after his heart attack at 28 and is now a tri-athlete.

Greater Boston Fit-Friendly Companies
As part of its Start! campaign to encourage, recognize and provide tools to companies to promote a culture of physical activity in the workplace, the American Heart Association presents Fit-Friendly Awards to companies demonstrating a commitment to achieving a well-balanced, health-focused work environment. Join us in congratulating these Boston-area companies:

American Heart Association Founders Affiliate
Arnold Worldwide
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston Scientific
Brigham & Women's Hospital
Cone, Inc.
Grace Cambridge
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association
Massachusetts General Hospital
Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
New England Baptist Hospital
Philips Healthcare
ProMutual Group
Staples, Inc.
The Sports Club LA/Boston
Tufts Health Plan
Wyeth Biotech

Join Us!
Upcoming Start! Greater Boston Events:

September 12, 2009 Boston Start! Heart Walk

Other components of the Start! program include walking programs, online walking tools, and Fit-Friendly Company designation. To get your company involved in the American Heart Association's Start! campaign, check out the Official Start! Web site. You can also contact your local Start! Coordinator, Tara Casey, at 508-935-3980 or via email at tara.casey@heart.org.

News Updates

Start! Local Sponsor