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African American Male Wellness Walk
Special to The Truth
The African American Male
Wellness Walk (AAMWW) is a health initiative that began in
Columbus, Ohio in 2004.
On Saturday, August 16 at the African American Legacy
Project - 1326 Collingwood Blvd., health screenings will
begin at 8 am, the Toledo African American Male Wellness
Walk/Run will begin at 10 am.
After several Toledo Firefighters participated in the
Columbus Walk, they determined that this initiative is a way
to help achieve their goals of "education and prevention" in
the areas of healthcare and medical emergencies. The Toledo
Fire and Rescue Department (TFRD) is looking to use this
initiative as a means to bring awareness to the healthcare
issues.
On August 3, 2013, the Toledo held its 1st Annual African
American Male Wellness Walk with an assortment of
activities, vendors, exercise demonstrations, but most
importantly, free health screenings for participants. More
than 150 free health screenings were done that included
blood sugar, body mass index, HIV, oral cancer, blood
pressure, cholesterol, 12-lead EKGs of the heart, and
prescription counseling. As a result of this initiative, the
Governor of Ohio declared August as African American male
Wellness Month.
The primary challenge with making the AAMWW a continued
success is the need for funding as its prime sources of
funding are contributions from donors. The African American
Male Wellness Walk needs YOU! Join the Toledo Fire and
Rescue Department and our community partners in our efforts
to make this very important initiative a continued success.
To help spread the message that, "Healthy Men Make Healthy
Families" we invite you wear green on Saturday and to
consider joining us!
For additional information or to schedule interviews
concerning Toledo's AAMWW please contact Brian Byrd, Toledo
Fire and Rescue Department Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical
Services & Communications at 419-936-2647 or by email at
Brian.Byrd@toledo.oh.gov. Additional information on the
history of AAMWW can be found at
http://aawalk.org. |
