Thousands of LA-area residents will take steps, literally, to change tomorrow; today when they participate in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk LA, held Sunday, September 18, 2005 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, on the campus of Cal State University Dominguez Hills.


Everyone knows someone affected by cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular disease, including stroke, is the leading cause of death for African-American men and women; claiming the lives of more than 100,000 people annually. About 45 percent of African-American women and 41 percent of African-American men have cardiovascular disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the National Center for Health Statistics.

Overall, about 927,000 Americans die each year due to cardiovascular disease ; more than any other disease Many people are alive today because of the research grants and education programs funded by the American Heart Association. They raise the money directly through events like the Heart Walk.

Mocha Mom's Inc, The Southern California Region are proud to be walking this year so that they can do their part to help the community.

This year’s walk is a great event for the entire family. The day will feature health screenings; great food and music; the Cedars-Sinai Women's Health Pavilion, featuring screenings and educational materials for women; the Children's Hospital Kids Zone, featuring a Teddy Bear Clinic, face painting and a moonwalk; and a Pet Zone with dog adoption, water bowls, and giveaways.

In addition Good Samaritan Hospital is hosting the Heart Ride from Downtown Los Angeles to The Home Depot Center in Carson. The 14.55 mile bike ride begins at 8 a.m. at Good Samaritan Hospital

The annual success of the Heart Walk is due in part to local sponsors such as Bank of America, Biosense Webster, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Chevron, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Diagnostic Products Corporation, Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, Good Samaritan Hospital, HealthCare Partners Medical Group, Huntington Hospital, LABioMed, Little Company of Mary, Lockheed Martin, Methodist Hospital of Southern California, Northrop Grumman, Payden & Rygel, St. Jude Medical, Saint John's Health Center, Subway, The Heart and Vascular Institute at Glendale Adventist Medical Center and White Memorial Hospital.

Media sponsors include KCBS-TV, KCAL-TV and KOST-FM.For information on participating in Heart Walk LA, call the American Heart Association at 1-213-291-7000- or visit www.heartwalkla.org

About the American Heart Association:

Since 1924 the American Heart Association has helped protect people of all ages and ethnicities from the ravages of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, the nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, claim more than 930,000 American lives a year. The association invested more than $348 million in fiscal year 2002&03 for research, professional and public education, and advocacy so people across America can live stronger, longer lives

About Mocha Moms Inc.,

Mocha Moms is a support group for mothers of color who have chosen not to work full-time outside of the home in order to devote more time to their families. Mocha Moms, Inc. has been featured on national television programs, such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, GPTV and in national publications such as the New York Times, Miami Herald, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mothering, Essence, Jet Magazine, and Parenting Magazine. Good works of our chapters have also been featured in many local and community publications and television programs.