Great philosopher’s state that the beginning of a long journey is managed one step at a time. One famous explorer, Neil Armstrong, noted with his first step on the moon that this footprint was a “giant leap for mankind.”

For two local organizations, the dedication of volunteers who were willing to take these small steps will be transformed into giant leaps of progress in battling two diseases that affect hundreds of Nash County Citizens.

The Great American Heart Walk

What’s your degree of commitment? Or better yet, does your degree of commitment seem to rise when the mercury in the thermometer start to hover around the 30-degree mark. Participants in the American Heart Walk huddled in downtown Rocky Mount, completing warm up exercises when a light frost had decorated the ground just hours earlier.

On a chilly Saturday, Nash Health Care Systems employees proved that it would take more than a cold front to keep them from showing their support for the American Heart Association, because when it comes to helping raise money for research, education and healthy hearts, NHCS is the pulse of the community.

Though at press time, the final tally had yet to be counted, preliminary estimates demonstrate that NHCS exceeded its fund-raising goal of $20,000 and just might be the top fund-raising company---which means the Heart Walk trophy may be heading back home to Nash Health Care Systems.

According to the NC Center for Health Statistics, in 2005, there were 17,681 North Carolinians who died from heart disease. In Nash County, the number of 2005 deaths was 215.

The Memory Walk

Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 4 million Americans, and the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease has doubled since 1980. While growing older remains the greatest risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s, there are rare, inherited forms of Alzheimer’s Disease which can affect people in their 30s and 40s, according to figures from the National Institute of Mental Health.

This year marked the inaugural Memory Walk, which was sponsored by the Luncheon Pilot Club of Rocky Mount. Its goal was to raise money to benefit victims of Alzheimer’s disease.

Nash Health Care Systems put its best foot forward and was one of the main sponsors of the event, which drew around 150 people and raised more than $17,000--and all the funds raised will remain in the local region. This means that the funds may go to help your neighbor, your friend, or even a member of your family. It is a portrait of what can happen when the community comes together.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without sponsors like Nash Health Care Systems, “said Debbie Stephenson, one of the event organizers.