Almost 400 walkers turned out this year for the Dearborn County Hospital Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Departments’ Heart & Lung Health Walk.  Now in its third year, the walk has become a healthy addition to Lawrenceburg’s Fall Fest.

Statistics reveal just how popular the Health Walk has become, increasing from 184 registered walkers in 2010 to 392 registered walkers in 2012.  This year’s walk included participants from Florida and Virginia.

Addressing the crowd at the walk were Dennis Carr, Mayor of the City of Lawrenceburg; Tom Orschell, Dearborn County Commissioner; Jud McMillin, State Representative for Indiana District 68; Roger D. Howard, DCH President/CEO; and Angie Johnson, RN, DCH Lead Cardiac Rehabilitation Coordinator and the walk’s organizer.

“We are grateful for the many businesses, organizations and individuals whose assistance and contributions helped to make our walk a success,” Ms. Johnson said.  “We are especially grateful to the City of Lawrenceburg, Mayor Dennis Carr, Lawrenceburg City Council and Administration, Marie Edwards and the Lawrenceburg Fall Fest Committee, Lawrenceburg Conservancy District, Lawrenceburg Emergency Rescue Unit, Lawrenceburg Fire and Police Departments, Lawrenceburg Maintenance Department and Ivy Tech Community College-Riverside Campus.

“Our Walk Committee also appreciates the work of the Dearborn County Hospital Auxiliary, who stuffed all of our goody bags, and the DCH employees and retirees, Ivy Tech nursing students, Lawrenceburg Key Club members and community volunteers who assisted with the walk.

“In addition, many thanks go to the local and regional businesses that donated hundreds of items for goody bags and door prizes; including Dunkin’ Donuts for its coffee; and Kao Brands, which has provided us with hundreds of personal care products over the past three years,” Ms. Johnson concluded.  “We also appreciate the participation of DCH Medical Staff members Dr. Lynn Eiler, Dr. Harbans Gill and Dr. Radu Zidarescu.”

Donors to the Health Walk included the Alzheimer’s Support Group of Southeast Indiana; American Legion Post 59 Auxiliary; American Lung Association in Indiana; Ann’s Hallmark; Apria Healthcare; Arby’s Restaurants; the Athletic Club; Aurora Floral; Aveeno Active Naturals; Batesville Products, Inc.; Belterra Casino Resort; Bright Beacon; Donnie Bryant; Cincinnati Reds Donation Exchange; Clorox Professional Products; Comfort Inn & Suites; Competition Racing; Craig Distributing Co., Inc.; Creation Museum; DCH Federal Credit Union; D-D Vending, Inc.; Dearborn Adult Center; Dearborn County Hospital Breast Care Center, Community Relations Department, Dietary Department and Home Health & Hospice; Dearborn Savings Bank; Dick’s Sporting Goods; Dunkin’ Donuts; Durbin Bowl; Enerfab; Fifth Third Bank; Fish Window Cleaning; Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc.; Garage Door King; Gardens Alive!; Debra Gould; Great Clips for Hair; Green Mountain Coffee; Greendale Cinema; the City of Greendale; Greene Respiratory Services; Hampton Inn; Hibbett Sports; Holiday Inn Express; Home City Ice; Home Depot; Home Furniture; Indiana Organ Procurement, Inc.; Kao Brands; Kennett Oil Co.; KFC; Kroger; Lawrenceburg Community Center; Lawrenceburg Tire & Auto; the City of Lawrenceburg; Lil Ank’s Walnut Street Café; McCabe’s Greenhouse & Floral; McDonald’s; Merchants Bank & Trust; Modern Inn & Suites; Moreton Printing; Newport Aquarium; NSI Voice & Data; Orscheln Farm & Home Supply; Brian Oyler, D.D.S; Panama Pete’s Tanning Spa; Papa John’s Pizza; Parlour on the Avenue; Perfect North Slopes; Pizza Hut; Pro₂ Respiratory Services, LLC; Reflections Hair Salon; Rising Star Casino Resort; Riverside Inn; RMS Home Medical Equipment; Bob Roncker’s Running Spot; Rothert’s Hospital Equipment, Inc.; Rullman Hunger Funeral Home; Shady Nook Care Center; Shelby’s Shear Thing Barber Shop; Skyline Chili; Snappy Tomato Pizza; Tastefully Simple; United Community Bank; United Dairy Farmers; Walgreens; Walmart; Whitey’s Wine & Liquor Co.; Will’s Grill; Willie’s Sports Café; the Zen Zone; and Zorba’s Greek Restaurant.

Monies raised will be used to assist in the purchase of educational materials and other items to enhance the DCH Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs.

The 5 kilometer (3.1 mile) walk on Dearborn Trails is held in conjunction with Lawrenceburg’s Fall Fest and is co-sponsored by Dearborn County Hospital, Lawrenceburg Fall Fest and the City of Lawrenceburg.  All walkers were awarded T-shirts, ribbons and goody bags in recognition of their participation.