Heart Walk set to raise research funds

      The American Heart Association wants Las Vegans to make tracks and help fight heart disease.
      The heart association's sixth American Heart Walk is set for UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center parking lot Oct. 3 and will raise funds to support research and community education programs.
      Registration is free and begins at 7:30 a.m. More than 140 teams have already signed up.
      "This is a great program that allows us to continue to fight heart disease, which is still America's No. 1 killer," said Donna Lee, a volunteer for the local American Heart Association.
      Individuals and teams of 10 can collect and donate money from family, friends and co-workers. One local bank will also serve as a drop off-spot.
      More than 60 million Americans have some sort of heart ailment, according to the American Heart Association's main Web site. In 1993, more than 950,000 people died from heart disease and related problems.
      Last year, heart disease and stroke claimed the lives of more than 2,000 Las Vegans, local heart association officials said. The heart association promotes exercise as a way to reduce the chance of heart ailments.
      For the first time, the walk will combine American Heart Association events in Las Vegas, Henderson-Green Valley and North Las Vegas. Lee said the giant walk should help top last year's $75,000. This year's goal is $150,000.
      Participants will enjoy performances by Tap Dogs, a contemporary tap dancing group at the Stratosphere; state fiddling champion Johnny Potash and other talented individuals and groups.
      The Kids Events will take place after the walk. Activities include an Infant Crawl, Toddler Trot, Children's Hop and Kid's Scramble.
      Lee's father Morton Lee died from a massive heart attack nearly 20 years ago at age 46. She said the heart association's community awareness programs could have saved his life.
      Those interested can call 367-1366.