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JU Rowing teams surpass last year’s meters rowed in “Heart Ergathon”

From the American Heart Association

Jacksonville University had a distinctive role in the community-wide American Heart Association “National Wear Red Day” events Friday, Feb. 7: The Negaard Rowing Center hosted  a 24-hour rowing marathon. Beginning at noon Friday, the men’s and women’s rowing teams and members of the Brooks Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program rowed continuously on indoor machines called ergometers to raise awareness for women’s heart health. This is the second  “24 Strokes for Heart Ergathon ” held at the university in two years.

Members of the JU Men's and Women’s Rowing Teams in hour 2 of the 24-Strokes-4 Heart Ergathon Feb. 7.

According to JU Rowing coach Jim Mitchell, the rowing teams surpassed last year’s total meters by 149,415 meters, with a grand total of 2,308,946 meters.  The 2,308,946 meters  rowed roughly equals 1,435 miles, which is far enough to get from Jacksonville to San Jose, Costa Rica.

Stroke Survivor and Brooks Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program member Chuck Frank (center) is assisted by wife Julie (right) and Debra Delp as he began his stint on the erg machines.

“I am proud of all of the participants this year, as well as those who made this event happen. Thanks to all who allow us to combine our training with the ability to help and support such a great cause and organization, “ said Mitchell.

24-Strokes-4- Heart was  part of the First Coast’s  10th Annual National Wear Red Day activities Feb. 7, reminding everyone that heart disease is still the No. 1 killer of women ages 20 and older, killing about one woman every minute, including many women on the first coast.  More women die of heart disease than the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.  National Wear Red Day is part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement to make women aware of their risk of heart disease and learn how to make healthy lifestyle changes to prevent it. Up to 80% of cardiovascular disease is preventable.

According to Florida Charts.org, in 2012, the First Coast lost 3,246 residents to all cardiovascular diseases, and 51.26 percent, or 1,664  of them, were women.

About the American Heart Association-First Coast Market

The American Heart Association-First Coast Market drives cardiovascular and stroke research — from prevention to treatment — to enable Americans, at all ages, to establish good heart-health habits to prevent cardiovascular disease in their lives, or to improve their quality of life if they have heart disease or stroke. We engage the community and donors through our 3 key initiatives, the Heart Walk, Heart Ball, and Go Red For Women, by providing education and funding opportunities that pave the way for tomorrow’s lifesaving medical innovations which will lead to improved cardiovascular health for the people of Jacksonville and across the country. For more information about the American Heart Association, visit www.heart.org.