LEWISTON – The 14th annual Central Maine Heart Walk will take place on Sunday, Sept. 16, in Lewiston/Auburn, with satellite walks scheduled in Rumford and Bridgton on the same day. The Heart Walk is a fundraiser and educational event to support the American Heart Association. Last year, these events together raised more than $130,000 to support the AHA’s lifesaving research, education and public health efforts in Maine.

Susan Keiler, chief operating officer at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, and Kevin Fletcher, realtor with The Masiello Group Commercial Associates, are the 2012 Heart Walk co-chairs. Keiler previously chaired the 2010 Heart Walk. Fletcher plans to serve as the 2013 Heart Walk chairman next year. They have set a goal of raising $160,000 for this year’s event.

The AHA’s largest event in Lewiston/Auburn, this year’s event will start with a breakfast celebration at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverwatch in Auburn. Walkers will then have a choice of a one-mile or 5K walk along the L/A Trails Riverwalk. Based on the request of past Heart Walk participants looking for a bigger challenge, this year’s event will also include a new 5K “Fun Run.” Runners will take to the trail at 9:30 a.m., followed shortly thereafter by walkers at 9:45 a.m. Registration, breakfast and kick-off ceremonies for all participants will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Participants will enjoy music as well as kid’s activities and health screenings. Again this year, participants will also be able to tour a LifeFlight helicopter, which will be parked at Simard-Payne Park, during their walk.

According to Susan Crandall, the AHA’s Central Maine Heart Walk director, teams of friends and family are encouraged to register, recruit walkers and begin fundraising. Teams can be registered at www.centralmaineheartwalk.org.

The Rumford Heart Walk will begin at Hosmer Field at 8 a.m. The Bridgton Heart Walk will kick off at 8:30 a.m. at Stevens Brook Elementary School. Both walk events will begin with a heart-healthy breakfast provided by Hannaford Supermarkets, inspirational speakers and lunch following the walk.

The Heart Walk executive leadership team includes Paul Smith, TD Bank; Allison Beane, Hilton Garden Inn; Rosemary Cummings, St. Mary’s Health System; Kelly David, Tri-County Mental Health; Adam Dunbar, Wells Fargo Advisors; Susan Keiler, St. Mary’s Health System; Matt Jancovic, Oxford Networks; Jonathan LaBonte, Androscoggin Land Trust; Cindie Rice, Central Maine Medical Center; Erica Madore, Austin Associates; Kevin Fletcher, the Masiello Group; and Sheri Verville, Sun Journal.

For more information contact Susan Crandall at 879-5700 or visit www.centralmaineheartwalk.org for event details and online registration.