KINGSTON, R.I. — April 24, 2000 — University of Rhode Island President Robert L. Carothers will be taking some steps toward healthier hearts for all Rhode Islanders. The president has agreed to chair the 12th annual American Heart Walk on Saturday, May 13 at Colt State Park in Bristol. The walk is one of the American Heart Association, Rhode Island Division’s major fundraising events and one of Rhode Island’s latest and fastest growing walks. Participants ask friends and family members to sponsor them with pledge money earmarked for heart research and education. Heart disease and strokes are the number one and number three killers, respectively, of Americans of all ages. Rhode Island ranks 19th in the nation for deaths from cardiovascular disease. “The URI community learned all too painfully this past month that even our students are not exempt from the ravages of heart disease,” said Carothers, referring to the late 21-year-old Christopher Meehan of Cranston. Meehan, an extraordinarily bright, popular student who was a resident assistant in URI’s Merrow Hall, would have graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics. “The Heart Walk is a wonderful way to support the research carried out by the American Heart Association, some of which is being conducted right here in our Cancer Prevention Research Center. The walk gives each of us a chance to get outdoors, serve our communities, save lives and have some fun too,” said Carothers. This year, a collegiate challenge has been issued among the 12 colleges and universities in Rhode Island. URI faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni and friends will make up the University contingent. A trophy provided by CVS – along with bragging rights – will be awarded to the winning college team. “Each of us knows someone struggling with heart disease or high blood pressure. I would ask all Rhode Islanders to join the American Heart Walk or financially sponsor someone who does,” added Carothers. For more information about how to participate in the American Heart Walk, call Michelle Curreri at URI at 401-874-4462 or the American Heart Association at 401-274-4544, ext. 6115. -xxx- For Information: Jan Sawyer, 401-874-2116