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Local franchisees of Tropical Smoothie Café are partnering with St. Vincent’s HealthCare to encourage Jacksonville residents to live a healthier lifestyle. As a big part of this year’s First Coast Start! Heart Walk put on by the American Heart Association, Tropical Smoothie Café will give away 1,000 free smoothies to those who have their blood pressure or cholesterol checked by St. Vincent’s staff during Saturday’s Heart Walk.
Representatives from St. Vincent’s HealthCare and Tropical Smoothie Café will take the opportunity to talk with participants about the major risk factors for heart disease and how exercise and healthy dining options can lower those risks. Along with the tent, St. Vincent’s state-of-the-art cardiac ambulance will be available for viewing.
“We’re here to show folks that heart healthy food can be just as, if not more delicious than options that clog your arteries,” said Buddy Lawrence, one of Tropical Smoothie Café’s Northeast Florida developers.
St. Vincent’s HealthCare Chief Executive Officer Scott Whalen, the official leader of this year’s Heart Walk agreed.
“By giving healthy and delicious tropical smoothies to people at the Heart Walk, we’ll make it clear that it is both a smart and tasty thing to do,” said Whalen.
The goal this year during Heart Walks is to raise $1.375 million for heart research and education.