Tampa Bay Rays players, alumni, coaches, employees and season ticket holders will all participate in the American Heart Association's Tampa Bay Heart Walk on Saturday, November 12 at Raymond James Stadium.
The Heart Walk is the American Heart Association's signature fundraising event. The event promotes physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, and also raises funds that go toward saving lives from heart disease and stroke -- the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in U.S. adults.
The Rays are walking in support of four members of the organization's family who have survived heart-related health issues. The team's Chief Business Officer Jeff Cogen survived a 2005 heart attack and Purchasing Coordinator Mike Yodis suffered a heart attack last December. Lee Ann Nelson, wife of Rays coach Jamie Nelson, has survived multiple heart attacks. Camden Cash, eldest daughter of Rays Manager Kevin Cash and his wife, Emily, underwent open heart surgery in 2007 when she was only 17 months old.
"It is heartwarming to see the Rays provide such support for Lee Ann, Mike, the Cash family and me," said Cogen. "It is that kind of emotional support that is so important to the survivors and their families. We are all grateful to serve an organization that cares deeply about the health and well-being of its employees and one that supports many community partners like the American Heart Association."
Rays fans are encouraged to visit tampabayheartwalk.kintera.org/tampabayrays for more information, to register and to donate.