4a ey a You can help improve your own health and that of others when you join a team marathontraining program that fights stroke. (NAPSA)—Byputting in some time and effort, many Americans are getting a chance to help run stroke out of town—and take a fabulous trip themselves. It’s done by signing up for a team marathon training program benefiting the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association. Train To End Stroke is about reaching personal fitness milestones while helping the men, women and children who have experienced a stroke. Most program participants have never run a marathon. Thefivemonth program provides experienced coaching on how to complete a marathon or half-marathon event. Participants also get nutri- tion and training clinics along the way and team social events. Participants agree to raise a minimum amount of funds to benefit stroke research and educational programs. They get a fundraising handbook that includes sample letters and event ideas. At the end of the program, team- mates fly to either Negril, Jamaica on December 8, 2001 or Walt Dis- ney World Orlando, Florida on Jan- uary 6, 2002, where they will either run or walk in a world-class marathon. More dates in other fabulous locations for this bi-annual event are being scheduled for Spring 2002. The American Stroke Association pays for transportation, accommodations, pre-marathon pasta dinner and post-marathon victory party for every individual who has reachedhis or her personal training and fund-raising goals. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and a leading cause of severe, long term disability. Every 53 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. The American Stroke Association funds research and educational programsfor stroke. Registration for the Jamaica and Orlando marathonsis through mid-July at 36 American Stroke Association participating training sites across the nation; by calling 1-888-4-STROKE; or online at www.strokeAssociation.org.
