VENTURA, Sept. 22 – The American Heart Association, Ventura County Division, will hold its 2008 Start! Ventura County Heart Walk on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Simi Valley Town Center. The annual event is expected to draw more than 500 participants. Event attractions include health screenings, Yoga, Pilates and breathing classes, stretching clinic, free massage, and a Kids Zone with fun activities for children.

The Start! Ventura County Heart Walk is a celebration of the American Heart Association’s groundbreaking national Start! movement that calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, heart-healthy lives through walking. It aims to inspire healthy lifestyle habits by promoting exercise, such as walking, as a regular part of life. The Start! Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s biggest fundraising event benefiting the fight against heart disease and stroke, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers. Ventura’s goal this year is to raise $180,000 to help fund lifesaving cardiovascular research and community education.

Simi Valley resident Bruce Kanegai, who competed in the TV show Survivor Panama Exile Island 2006, will emcee the event. Kanegai, a Karate instructor, taught art for 34 years at Simi Valley High School and he is a recipient of a number of teaching awards.

Families, friends, companies, employees and community groups are invited to be a part of the 2008 Start! Ventura County Heart Walk. To join or learn more about the event, visit www.venturaheartwalk.org or call Ally Walker at (805) 445-7050.

Start! is sponsored nationally by Subway, Healthy Choice and AstraZeneca, and locally by Simi Valley Hospital.