Bank exec learns first hand about the heart of the matter.

Bank exec learns first hand about the heart of the matter

Union Bank executive John Fox said he was excited when he was selected last August to serve as chairman of the executive race committee of the 5-K run the bank holds annually to benefit the American Heart Association.

But the run, the Union Bank Heart of the City 5-K Run, took on a new importance for him four days later when Fox, Los Angeles area executive for commercial banking, suffered a heart attack.

"This has increased my dedication and has increased my appreciation of what the American Heart Association does both for people with heart conditions and those who may not know they have heart conditions," said Fox, a 47-year-old former Marine, who said he was unaware of his heart condition prior to the attack.

Fox still plans to run in the June 12 race.

"I'm currently half-walking, half-running three miles (per day)," he said. "Exercise is a very important part of rehabilitation. I don't plan to race, I plan to finish."

With this run, Fox said that Union Bank hopes to reach $1 million in cumulative funds raised for the American Heart Association since the annual run began six years ago.

Fox is promoting participation by corporations, whose employees can compete for overall corporate and industry awards.