April 16, 2008

Mercy Plans Siouxland Observance of Walking at Work Day

Mercy Medical Center—Sioux City will host a special community event to mark “Start! Walking at Work Day” on Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. in the atrium of the hospital’s Central Medical Building, 5th and Jackson Streets.

For the first time last year, Mercy, home of the regionally and nationally renowned Mercy Heart Center, joined the American Heart Association’s groundbreaking national “Start!” campaign that calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, healthier lives through increased walking.

The local effort is coordinated by Mercy’s Red Dress Ambassadors, a group founded more than four years ago to emphasize the work of the Mercy Heart Center in making all women aware that the number one cause of death in women is heart and cardiovascular disease.

On Start! Walking at Work Day, Mercy will ask Siouxland residents to step up their efforts at improving their health by committing themselves to more active, year-round participation in walking. As part of the special event, Mercy’s Red Dress Ambassadors will lead staff members and hospital guests on a short walk in downtown Sioux City.

“Physical activity significantly decreases the risk of heart disease and stroke,” said Carla Galloway, chairperson for Mercy’s Red Dress Ambassadors. “People are spending more time at work than ever before, and have less time for physical activity. Seventy percent of Americans don’t get enough exercise.”

“By initiating and leading the Start! campaign in the Siouxland area, Mercy is committed to helping local employers and employees start walking more, eating better, and living longer. Start! is really more of a movement that seeks to significantly improve and promote wellness and good heart health in the workplace,” Galloway added.

Community members are invited to join Mercy staff members for the noon event. The Red Dress Ambassadors are planning to share heart-healthy snacks and bottled water with all who participate. Those attending will also have a chance to register for door prizes.

In 2001, Mercy established the Downtown Heart Healthy Partners Walking Club, which is aimed at coaxing and encouraging Siouxlanders to reap the benefits of walking in the skywalk system, which is air-conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter.

Those wishing to participate in the club can take advantage of free parking in Mercy’s parking ramps, and can conveniently record their miles in the hospital’s section of the skywalk system. For more information about the walking club, call (712) 279-2575.