MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, MN -- The Minnesota Twins, in partnership with Twins legend Rod Carew and his wife Rhonda, announced today the creation of a year-long campaign to raise funds for the American Heart Association, as well as raise awareness of cardiovascular disease. The Heart of 29 campaign honors the Carews' wish to assist the American Heart Association following the Baseball Hall of Famer's recent, major heart attack and subsequent surgery. Carew had an LVAD, or left ventricular assist device, implanted during the surgery and is awaiting the possible need for a heart transplant.
"I have been fortunate enough to have been given a second chance at life," said Carew. "Now I want to make sure that all Twins fans get their hearts checked so they don't have to go through what I did.....or worse."
The campaign kicked off at TwinsFest at Target Field and will raise funds for the American Heart Association throughout the 2016 season in a number of ways. Most specifically, Twins fans will be encouraged to join or pledge Rod's Team at the 2016 Twin Cities Heart Walk. The Minnesota Twins will match all pledges to Rod's Team up to a total of $10,000.
The Twin Cities Heart Walk will take place on May 14th at Target Field and is the largest fundraiser for the American Heart Association in Minnesota.
The American Heart Association raises awareness through National Wear Red Day and "red outs" throughout the year. In conjunction with the Twins players wearing red jerseys on Fridays at home in 2016, the Twins will offer a special Carew's Corner ticket package on Fridays in April and May. Fans can purchase a lower level Field Box ticket and receive a special Heart of 29 Rod Carew red Twins jersey. A portion of each ticket sold will benefit the American Heart Association. Tickets can be purchased through a special online ticket link beginning in late February.
The Twins will debut their red jerseys for the first time in the regular season on April 13th vs. the White Sox. That evening the Twins will wear a Heart of 29 sleeve patch to honor Carew and the campaign.
"The Twins are honored to partner with the American Heart Association and the Carew family to raise funds and awareness for heart health throughout 2016," said Dave St. Peter, Minnesota Twins President. "The Twins are committed to the Carews' mission to share Rod's story and use it to make people aware of the risks of heart disease and how to prevent it with healthy lifestyle choices."
More than 800,000 people in the U.S., that's one in three, die from cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke. An estimated 85.6 million people in the U.S. are living with cardiovascular diseases. Nearly 80 percent of cardiovascular disease may be prevented through every day healthy living steps, including physical activity, good nutrition, not smoking, maintaining healthy weight and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
"We are truly honored by Rod and Rhonda Carew's willingness to share their story and partner with the Minnesota Twins and the American Heart Association to bring life-saving attention to heart disease and heart failure," said Barbara Ducharme, executive director of the American Heart Association's Minnesota office. "Raising awareness of heart disease, its symptoms and how to prevent it, will empower people to make healthy life-style changes. Rod is an inspiration."
For more information about joining or pledging the Twins Cities Heart Walk, Carew's Corner, and information about heart health, visit www.twinsbaseball.com/heartof29.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, America's No. 1 and No. 5 killers. Founded in 1924, the association now includes more than 22.5 million volunteers and supporters. It funds innovative research, advocates for stronger public health policies, and provides critical tools and information to doctors and the public. The association has funded more than $3.8 billion in heart disease and stroke research. To learn more visit www.heart.org.