FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEÂ Sept 17th, 2015

Contact:
Brenda Fenech-Soler
Phone: 904-209-3250, Ext. 1004
brenda.fenech-soler@flhealth.gov

ST. AUGUSTINE – In recognition of World Heart Day, the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County is hosting a 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, September 26, and Free Hands-Only™ CPR Training on Tuesday, September 29th. These events are being held to raise awareness that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death.

The first event, the Healthy Groove 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run is a FREE community event to promote World Heart Day and the department’s Healthiest Weight Florida initiative. Open to all runners, joggers and walkers, this event is held in collaboration with Tobacco Free St. Johns, the Jacksonville Running Company, First Coast Apartment Association, St. Johns County, St. Johns County Fire Rescue and Flagler Hospital.

Online registration for the Healthy Groove 5K is through Eventbrite, and participants are encouraged to register in advance to receive race information about parking, weather delays, cancellations, etc. You can register at http://healthygroove5k.eventbrite.com/ or check out the Healthy Groove 5K Facebook page. Packet pick-up will be at the Mary Street entrance to Butler Beach on race day only, starting at 9:00 AM. The 5K starts at 11:00 AM, and a 1 Mile Fun Run starts at 12:00 noon. For further information or to volunteer, please contact healthygroove5K@gmail.com.

For their second World Heart Day event, the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County is partnering with St. Johns County Fire Rescue to host free Hands-Only™ CPR Training on Tuesday, September 29, 2015. Three training classes will be offered at 10:00 AM, 12:00 noon and 2:00 PM, at the St. Johns County Health and Human Services Center (200 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, FL 32084). The training takes only 40 minutes, no advanced registration is required and best of all, it’s FREE! Hands-Only™ CPR is cardiopulmonary resuscitation without mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse in an “out-of-hospital” setting, such as at home, at work or in a park. In the event of a cardiac emergency, people are more likely to perform Hands-Only™ CPR, and ultimately save a life.

We encourage all residents to participate in these events. Together, we can make Florida a healthier, more heart-friendly place!

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About the Florida Department of Health
The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter @HealthyFLA and on Facebook. For more about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.