Ice Out

April Showers are not helping the AHA this year.

I am done with this weather. As you may remember, March brought a blizzard that postponed the Annual Go Red for Women luncheon. The rescheduled event, a week later, was very successful, but many donors and volunteers had to cancel due to work commitments.

Last year, a blizzard postponed the 2nd Annual HeartStrong 10K. So, we moved it forward a few weeks. Well, mother nature had a surprise for us again this year. Ice. In mid-April.

Our AHA staff and volunteers started arriving in Portland around 6:00 AM on Sunday to set up. WMTW8 was there to promote the event with some pre-race media coverage. I was able to talk about our advocacy work at the state house on the early AM news. Let me tell you, standing outside Ocean Gateway with the sleet pounding my face made for a challenging interview. I have a new respect for those "live from xyz storm" reporters! The reporter, Joe, and I watched my co-workers struggling with the awesome inflatable arch as he asked me about e-cigarettes. We were a bit afraid that the B-roll would be AHA volunteers and staff being picked up and thrown in Portland Harbor.

WPOR 101.9, our radio sponsor, was on hand to play music. They brought the remnants of their winter swag: ice scrapers and hats. It was funny, but also very helpful!

Runners and more hearty volunteers started showing up around 8:00. The place was filled with excited, but slightly apprehensive folks. I was able to talk to high schools students, volunteers and donors about the dangers of e-cigarettes and Juuls and had folks sign petitions for their legislators to assure funding for the state tobacco prevention program.

Unfortunately, a few of our test runners tried the course and declared it was a sheet of ice. We canceled the race. Folks were disappointed, but also very understanding.

We will reschedule, and maybe you will be able to come! Watch our Facebook page for the new date and time. And please, don't put your ice scrapers away yet.