Editor,

More than 1 in 3 adults have some form of cardiovascular disease – the No. 1 killer of American men and women. The good news is 80 percent of heart disease and stroke can be prevented. Both of these facts made my decision to co-chair the Polk Heart Walk an easy one.

Heart disease and stroke strike people of all ages and races. That’s why the American Heart Association spreads life-saving knowledge and advances groundbreaking medical research — to help Americans lead stronger, healthier lives.

The Heart Walk helps the American Heart Association fund research that has led to discoveries such as CPR, life-extending drugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery, the heart-lung machine and surgical techniques to repair heart defects.

I look forward to joining survivors, company teams, families, staff from the Lakeland Police Department and the local community at this year’s event. I appreciate my co-chair, Elizabeth Bandyk, RN from Lakeland Regional Medical Center, our top sponsors, including Subway and Jenny Craig, and thank the hundreds of walkers who have raised funds and plan to participate in this year’s walk.

Please join us Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland and help fund more research and discoveries. Call 800-257-6941 ext.8032 or visit PolkHeartWalk.org for more information. You may save the life of someone you know — or even your own.

Chief Lisa Womack

2012 Polk Heart Walk Co-Chair

Lakeland Police Department