Every minute, heart disease and strokes take the lives of two people. Cardiovascular disease can strike anyone: man, woman or child.

The 2006 Crenshaw County American Heart Walk will have its official Company Leader/Team Captain Kick-off and Tailgate Rally today beginning at 5 p.m. at E.L. Turner Park. This year's kick-off activities will be hosted by Crenshaw Community Hospital, the presenting sponsor and the single largest sponsor of this event.

The Luverne High School Band will also be on hand tonight at Turner Field.

&#8220We are gearing up for the county's annual American Heart Walk, which is set for Thursday, Nov. 9,” Sharon Massey, Regional Director for the American Heart Association, said. &#8220This year's goal for the Crenshaw County Heart Walk is $15,000.”

The American Heart Walk is a benefit for the American Heart Association, Crenshaw County Division.

According to Massey, at the Nov. 9 event, there will be plenty of exciting and fun new things to do, with this year seeing an addition of a &#8220survivors'area” and a children's activity area. On Nov. 9, check-ins will begin at 5 p.m., while the walk itself begins at 6 p.m.

&#8220The goal for each team is $1,000 or $100 per walker,” Massey said. &#8220Of course, every penny that a person or team raises counts. Each team will consist of at least 10 walkers who will raise the donations in advance.”

Everyone is encouraged to visit Crenshaw County's Heart Walk Page to either sign up or to donate. The Web site is http://www.crenshawheartwalk.kintera.org.

&#8220All of the money raised goes back into heart disease and stroke research,” Massey said. &#8220Last year, the American Heart Association raised and donated approximately $11 million for the state of Alabama in the form of grants and fellowships from fundraisers just like the Crenshaw County Heart Walk.”

The American Heart Association is offering two cruise incentives this year to a walker who raises over $1,000 and to a person raising over $2,000. Someone will have the opportunity to win either a four-day, three-night cruise vacation for two, while someone raising over $2,000 will have the opportunity to win a cruise vacation for two people for five days and four nights.

A &#82202006 Top Walker Award” will be given by the American Heart Association this year.

For more information, please call Sharon Massey at 334-223-1700 or Bonnie Trotter at 335-1108, or you can send an email to Sharon.massey@heart.org.