CVMC Kicks Off Walk Catawba Valley for 2008, Awards 2007 Walkers on Saturday, Feb. 2 January 23, 2008 Whether you walk for exercise around the block, in the mall or on the treadmill, Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) will be celebrating a year of healthy walking through its countywide walking program Walk Catawba Valley as well as the program’s kickoff for 2008 on Saturday, Feb. 2. In conjunction with February as Heart Health Month, Walk Catawba Valley encourages area residents of all ages to walk for good health. From 10 a.m. through 12:00 noon, those attending the program kickoff and celebration at the CVMC Health First Center in Valley Hills Mall will be entertained by a “Puttin’ On the Dog” dog fashion show, “Ouch!” Injury Prevention presentation, Heart Healthy Kids Jump Rope competition and “Protect Yourself” self-defense demonstration. Attendees will also learn about “Eating for Energy” at a cooking demonstration and can take advantage of free blood pressure, blood glucose (non-fasting) and body mass index screenings throughout the event. The event will also include a ceremony to award the 2007 Walk Catawba Valley participants logging the most miles over the past year. All attendees will be eligible for door prizes distributed during the event. Walk Catawba Valley is geared to those who walk in their communities or ‘step’ through current exercise activities at local gyms, fitness centers or homes. It is an extension of the Health First Center’s popular Mallwalkers program, which is part of Walk Catawba Valley. Each Walk Catawba Valley registrant will receive a Starter Kit that includes a Virtual Walking Tour Booklet, list of Walking Tracks in our area, Walk Mileage Log Sheets, Walking Tips Sheet, list of Cholesterol Screening dates and schedule of Walk Catawba Valley classes that earn participants extra “walk miles” toward the year-end total. Current Walk Catawba Valley participants who wish to participate in the 2008 program should sign up again in order to receive a 2008 program packet. Participants can also sign up for Walk Catawba Valley at the Health First Center in the Valley Hills Mall during their business hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Attendees may also sign up for “Families Fit For Life.” The first 60 family teams that meet the requirements and enroll will receive education on physical activity and nutrition as well as gain skills and tools to be healthy. At the end of the 10-week program, a closing ceremony for “Families Fit For Life” will be held to reward the family with the largest weight loss average. Prizes include: 1st place: $500 and a six-month full family membership to the YMCA; 2nd place: $300 and a three-month full family membership to the YMCA and 3rd place: $200. For more information about Walk Catawba Valley, please call the Health First Center at 828-485-2300 or click here to directly to the WalkCV webpage. To learn more about “Families Fit For Life,” visit www.catawbacountyhp.org or call 828-695-5861. Catawba Valley Medical Center is a not-for-profit, public healthcare system providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health education, wellness services, preventative medicine and acute care. CVMC, recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet facility, was recently named a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers.