American Heart Association Appoints Solstice’s Carlos Ferrera to the Start! Heart Walk Executive Leadership Team
May 16, 2011
The American Heart Association’s annual Start! Heart Walk is anticipated to attract thousands of community members on March 17, 2012 as they embark on a 5K (3.1) mile journey to a healthier lifestyle and help raise lifesaving funds for heart and stroke research. Setting the fund-raising pace will be the eight hand-selected members of the Executive Leadership Team, including Carlos Ferrera, Chief Operating Officer of Solstice, whose organization proudly raised over $17,800 for the 2011 Heart Walk.
His passion for the American Heart Association coupled with the Solstice commitment to enhancing the Oral Health/Heart Health connection made Ferrera a natural selection. In his role with the American Heart Association’s Executive Leadership Team, he will drive fund-raising momentum associated with the 5K Walk, and reach out to local organizations, corporations and community members to encourage participation in this cause.
This event is the American Heart Association’s premier fund-raising event and is designed to promote physical activity, instill passion for reducing disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and support efforts that directly save lives from this country’s number 1 and 3 killers – heart disease and stroke.
“I am honored to be a part of this integral team which engages community leaders to participate in such a worthwhile cause,” said Ferrera. “The funds we help raise through the Heart Walk directly impacts research and heart health in the community. We walk for a purpose and can see the direct effects of our collective efforts in our own community. That truly speaks to the significance of this event.”
The event will be held again at Nova Southeastern University. Festivities begin at 8 am on Saturday, March 17th and will feature a high-energy atmosphere which promotes wellness, a sense of community and honors those who have overcome heart-related illness. This signature event fosters the spirit of community, evident in the kid’s area, healthy refreshments, music and more. Solstice will again be hosting it’s PhotoBooth, which was a huge draw at the 2011 event.
For further information about the Broward County Start! Heart Walk, visit
www.browardheartwalk.org or call 954-492-6996.
In addition to funding research, dollars raised through the event also go toward community programs and education. Nearly 2,400 Americans die of cardiovascular diseases each day, an average of one death every 37 seconds. While largely perceived as a “man’s disease”, heart disease is also the No. 1 killer of women. In fact, more women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. Stroke is the No. 4 killer of Americans, claiming a life on average every three to four minutes. Each year, about 780,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke.
About Solstice:
Solstice, a Broward-based company, is one of the largest ancillary benefits providers in Florida, specializing in Dental, Vision and Life insurance. Solstice recently entered the prestigious “Best Companies” contest, and is applying for Health Utilization Management (HUM) Accreditation from URAC. Their commitment to Heart Health extends to their corporate initiatives as well.
Through their partnership with the American Heart Association, Solstice offers Oral Health/Heart Health Wellness Programs to its members and has an in-office exercise station to promote internal heart hearth to their employees.
Solstice is a multi-faceted benefits provider, offering dental, vision and life benefits plans to groups and consumers. They service Florida as a customer-service oriented company that values exceptional service, integrity and value-added benefits. Their well-rounded plans, expansive network and service-oriented mentality keep them in the forefront of their industry.
For information on Solstice, please visit www.SolsticeBenefits.com or contact 1.877.760.2247.
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