American Specialty Health Donates Over $24,000 for American Heart Association's Annual Heart Walk in San Diego.

SAN DIEGO -- On Saturday, September 17, employees of American Specialty Health (ASH) and their family members and friends joined in the annual Heart Walk sponsored by the American Heart Association, which supports research, education, and advocacy, and helps heart disease and stroke patients.

ASH, the nation's leading complementary health care organization, was once again a platinum-level sponsor for the Walk. In addition to its $15,000 corporate sponsorship, ASH employees raised over $9,100 for the American Heart Association by holding special fundraisers ranging from craft and book sale, miniature golf, and juice stands to raffles, prize wheels, and a talent show competition.

ASH provided other incentives for employees based on the amount of money they raised. Prizes included T-shirts, talking pedometers, gift cards, and even certificates for paid time off. Over 130 ASH employees and their family members and friends registered to walk with the ASH team.

"While we at ASH are extremely proud to be associated with the American Heart Association by sponsoring the annual Heart Walk, we must remember that millions of people of all ages suffer from cardiovascular and heart disease and stroke," said George DeVries, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of ASH. "The Heart Walk is an opportunity each year for ASH to both support the AHA and to promote healthy lifestyle choices that can help prevent heart disease and stroke, which is also a goal of our work here at ASH."

The Heart Walk, which was held on Saturday, September 17, began in historic Balboa Park and followed a 3.1-mile course that took walkers past museums, fountains, and the famed San Diego Zoo. Survivors of heart disease--called "Red Cap Survivors" and attired with special hats--were given the option of walking a less stressful one-mile route.

The San Diego Heart Walk, the American Heart Association's premier national walking event, was first held in 1992, and raised $35,199. In 2005, the San Diego Heart Walk raised over $1,150,000, with donations still pouring in. The 2005 San Diego Heart Walk drew over 7,000 walkers from local corporate, civic, and health care industries.

San Diego-based American Specialty Health, Incorporated (ASH) and its subsidiaries comprise the nation's largest organization for complementary health care benefit programs, wellness and health education programs, and health-related products measured in terms of annual revenues, members/insureds, employees, and contracted health plans. ASH administers benefit programs for 12.1 million members and discount programs for over 80 million members. ASH is located at 777 Front St., San Diego, Calif. 92101; phone [phone].

For more information about ASH, visit us online at ASHCompanies.com.