October 17, 2008

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center (MHRC) is holding a WALK Feel Alive! program kick-off for West End residents who are either participating in or interested in participating in WALK Feel Alive!. WALK Feel Alive!, a community-based program, encourages people to walk as a way to prevent disease.

The kick-off will take place Saturday, October 18 from 10 a.m to noon at the new walking track at Germania Park; Pearson Avenue, between 30th and 31st Street, S.W.

Participants are organized into neighborhood walking teams, with team captains. Each walker wears a pedometer to track daily steps and the numbers can be logged in on the MHRC's Web site, www.uabmhrc.com. The goal for each walker is to take 10,000 steps a day. There are many WALK teams active throughout Birmingham. Walkers in the Germania Park and Oakwood neighborhoods will begin their program Saturday. More than 500 local residents have been invited. Those who register to participate in the UAB MHRC WALK program will order a complimentary WALK kit, including a pedometer to track steps, a step tracking brochure, health information and WALK t-shirt.