Cedar Rapids Titans Preseason Game Dedicated to Heart Disease Survivors

When the Cedar Rapids Titans take on the Green Bay Blizzard on Thursday, February 7th in a preseason game at Mediacom Field inside the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena the game won't just have special meaning to the Titans players looking to make the team's regular season roster. The game will also hold special meaning to the Titans organization as the team attempts to raise $15,000 for the American Heart Association.
The Titans announced this week that the team has partnered with the American Heart Association for the February 7th game in conjunction with the association's Heart month. Several unique activities will take place during the game including heart survivors walking out with Titans players during introductions, a silent auction, heart disease & stroke awareness throughout game, heart decals on Titans player helmets, and one lucky fan taking home $1,000 as part of the team's "Heart of Gold" promotion. All Titans fans are encouraged to wear red in honor of heart survivors. The most important aspect of the night is that $5 from each individual corner, sideline or VIP ticket sold for the game will be donated to the American Heart Association. The goal is to raise $15,000.
Statistics show that 2,150 people die from cardiovascular disease each day - about one death every 40 seconds.
In 2010, the American Heart Association set a goal to improve cardiovascular health for all Americans by 20 percent and reduce heart disease and stroke deaths 20 percent by 2020.
However, according to projections in a 2013 report, heart health may only improve by 6 percent if current trends continue. The biggest barriers to success are projected increases in obesity and diabetes, and only modest improvements in diet and physical activity. On a positive note, smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure rates are projected to decline.
Among heart disease and stroke risk factors, the most recent data shows:
More adults age 20 and over are obese (34.6 percent) than normal or underweight (31.8 percent); 68.2 percent are overweight or obese. Among children ages 2-19, 31.8 percent are overweight or obese. Thirty-two percent of adults report no aerobic activity; 17.7 percent of girls and 10 percent of boys, grades 9-12, report fewer than an hour of aerobic activity in the past week. 13.8 percent of adults have total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL or higher.
Special ticket prices are available for the February 7th game. Tickets are $10 for bleachers and $15 for all other sections in the arena including sideline, corner, and VIP. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com or in person at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena box office Monday thru Friday from 9am-5pm.
For more information on the game or on the Titans, visit www.cedarrapidstitans.com. For more information on the Cedar Valley area American Heart Association regional office visit www.heart.org.