Caileane Thurston
Editor-in-Chief
Butler Community College is extending a heartfelt invitation to El Dorado residents and surrounding areas to join them in the upcoming Wichita Heart Walk on Saturday, June 29. This initiative is part of the college’s commitment to stand in solidarity with millions of Americans affected by heart disease and stroke, including members of the Butler family.
Heart disease and stroke remain significant health challenges across the nation, impacting individuals and families in profound ways. Recognizing the importance of raising awareness and supporting those affected, Butler Community College is rallying the community to participate in this year’s Heart Walk, a symbolic gesture of unity and support.
Bill Rinkenbaugh, vice president of Student Services, is the team coach for this heart walk. For him, it came following his heart attack and cardiac by-pass surgery in 2015. He really had not heard much about the American Heart Association until Kelly Snedden, director of Marketing and Public Relations, asked him to attend a kick-off meeting for the 2016 Heart Walk. From there, Butler put together a team of nearly 80 walkers for the first year. The money raised in the Heart Walk all stays local, funding educational programs and research for heart disease.
Provided by Bill Rinkenbaugh
“Butler participating in the Heart Walk is part of the mission of the college,” Rinkenbaugh said. “Butler Community College inspires and prepares students for lifetime success through inclusive, innovative, affordable, quality education while advancing community vitality. Increasing the awareness of heart issues and heart health benefits our community by improving the quality of life for our employees and students. We have hosted CPR events on campus to help people understand how to perform CPR in an emergency situation.”
The college has had a number of employees that suffer from heart disease and have survived heart attacks and strokes. Raising awareness of heart health is a way to prevent the effects of heart disease and to proactively address heart health before individuals suffer an attack or stroke. The Heart Walk has a number of stations set up prior to the walk to educate participants on various issues such as a heart healthy diet, exercise, etc. The college’s nursing program students have participated in the past to work at one of the educational booths at the Heart Walk.
“The biggest initiative that we are doing right now is trying to identify those individuals that are interested in walking at the Heart Walk,” Rinkenbaugh said. “Members of the Butler football team will be at the Heart Walk at 6:30 a.m. assisting in setting up for the walk at Riverfront Stadium in Wichita. They will be present throughout the day after the setup handing out water to the walkers along the walk route and then will help tear down.”
Provided by Bill Rinkenbaugh
If individuals wish to walk in this year’s Heart Walk, they can follow or click on this link, and it will take you to the registration page. All you have to do is sign up to walk and then come to the Heart Walk and wear a Butler purple shirt. While it’s encouraged to ask for donations to walk, it’s not a requirement: https://www2.heart.org/site/TR/HeartWalk/MWA-MidWestAffiliate?team_id=840714&pg=team&fr_id=10313
“Since I have survived both a heart attack and a stroke, I believe in the work of the American Heart Association and the research that they support in an effort to positively impact lives,” Rinkenbaugh said. “With the money staying local, it really helps individuals in our service area and at Butler. I’m a firm believer that the research and development of procedures to repair the heart and to identify strategies to prevent heart attacks and strokes is the reason that I’m still alive. This is very near and dear to my heart and to my family.”
The major partnership that has been created is with the local Wichita chapter of the American Heart Association. There are events that are held throughout the year to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke that, if requested, they may even host on their campus or have members of their community participate in the events outside of the Heart Walk. They have not partnered with other educational institutions or local organizations. At the first Heart Walk, they had a friendly competition with Wichita State to see who would have the most walkers. That event was held at WSU, and there was a sea of purple at that event.
“Our College Health Office provides opportunities to learn more about heart health and prevention of other illnesses and diseases throughout the semester,” Rinkenbaugh said. “The Heart Walk is the major event that the College has supported for the past eight years. Each individual can learn more about heart health, and eat heart healthy diets, etc. on their own and begin an exercise plan to maintain or improve a healthy lifestyle.”
“This is really more of a personal engagement process than it is the college,” Rinkenbaugh continues, “That said, it is always good for individuals at the college to support local and regional efforts to improve the quality of life. The Heart Walk and addressing heart health is just one of those events. There are representatives of the college that participate in a number of events across our service area that contribute to community vitality. I’m very proud of the fact that Butler Community College faculty, staff and administrators have participated in this event in the past.”
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