Wellness Within REACH Walk

By William Beamer

The 1st Annual Wellness Within REACH Walk will go down in history as a major step forward in our community movement to drive down deadly disease and make Oregon’s African American community the healthiest in the nation.

“I heard about the walk on television and couldn’t wait to sign up,” said walk participant Annie Cavil. “When I found out our church was walking in the event I got even more excited. I live in a retirement home and I believe we all need to do our part to be healthy and strong and I support this effort all the

“As an aspiring Olympic athlete and firefighter I saw this as a chance to support what I believe in with all my heart, that good health is the key to living longer and living a more productive life,” said Steve Dilworth, who is training for the U.S. Olympic bobsled team. “Cardiovascular disease is a killer we need to stop in its tracks and I am proud to be a part of this walk.” Other walkers included State Senator Avel Gordley, Providence Regional Director of Diversity Initiatives for Oregon Baruti Artharee, and president of New Seasons Market Brian Rohter.

The African American Health Coalition (AAHC)-sponsored event, which took place September 6, encouraged African Americans in the Portland metro area to exercise regularly and improve their overall health by getting involved in free AAHC physical activity classes at venues throughout North/Northeast Portland.

The walk started in Dawson Park with nearly 500 people warming up together before hitting the streets to stride through several of the city’s northeast neighborhoods, by way of a 4-mile or 1.5-mile course. AAHC is one of only 44 national Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) programs selected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop community-driven strategies to improve minority health.

Find out more about AAHC’s free physical activity classes and other health initiatives by visiting its website at www.aahc-portland.org or call 503-413-1850.