Omemee Woman Hosting Fifth Annual Heart Health Awareness Campaign With Four-Day Spin-A-Thon and Walk-A-Thon

Omemee’s Annie Smith is raising heart health awareness for a fifth straight year through Annie’s Pace Global Adventure (APGA) in a four-day event beginning this Friday.

File Photo.

Smith is hosting a walk-a-thon and spin-a-thon at All the Right Moves Fitness Studio in Omemee, encouraging those to ride a bike or walk with her — for as long as people wish — as she attempts to go 80-120 km on a treadmill during the four-day span from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. A barbecue fundraiser is also being held on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

APGA encourages participants to take control of their heart health by being active for one hour a day. Over the course of the four-day event, participants are invited to share online what activity they are doing that day to stay active and keep their hearts healthy.

“Your life is worth one hour a day,” said Smith.

The campaign has people participating all over the world in countries such as Hong Kong, Scotland, Greece, the USA, Switzerland, Australia and more.

“It’s about the world, it’s about creating the healthy habit,” said Smith.

The proceeds go towards the Test Your Limits (TYL) Initiative at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research at UHN in Toronto. The funds help in research for heart failure and transplantation.

The fundraiser’s goal is to raise $6,500 this year, trying to raise $25,000 over five years.

Smith is a Personal Trainer and group fitness instructor for 28 years. She was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis, an invisible, rare, incurable and life-threatening disease, in 2016. Her physical capabilities have become limited ever since.

Her campaign encourages others to post their heart stories and/or weekend activities on Smith’s Facebook or Instagram page while tagging themselves during the event.

To join AGPA visit the Facebook group. To donate click here.

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