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Hospital to Sponsor Horse Riding Fundraiser to Fight Heart Disease
Prepared by: Steve Wong Upstate Carolina Medical Center Marketing Phone 864-487-1515 
There's never been a better time to ride a horse in Cherokee County than on Saturday, March 3, in Upstate Carolina Medical Centers fight against heart disease.
"This will certainly be a first for the hospital, and I believe the first time theres been a horse-related fundraiser for heart disease in Cherokee County," Shannon Wylie, director of Cardiopulmonary at Upstate Carolina and event organizer, said. "We want to raise funds, as well as awareness of this leading cause of death." Statistically, heart disease and cancer run neck-and-neck as the nations leading causes of death depending on who you ask and which demographics are factored. The American Cancer Societys 2005 statistical report shows that, for the first time, cancer kills more Americans under age 85 than does heart disease. In 2002, the most recent year for which information is available, 476,009 people under age 85 died of cancer compared with 450,637 who died of heart disease. There were an estimated 1,372,910 new cancer cases and 570,260 cancer deaths in 2005. Yet, according to the American Heart Association, heart disease is now the number one killer of women, claiming more than 480,000 women a year or about one per minute. "The hospital has been very involved in the fight against cancer for many years," Wylie noted. "This year, we wanted to show support for heart disease, too. And, of course, this is a topic near and dear to me considering my profession in the cardiopulmonary department at Upstate Carolina." As a devoted horse person, Wylie came up with the idea to raise funds and awareness through Ride For A Reason, which is being billed as the first annual Cherokee County Horse Ride-a-thon. Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, she and anyone else who loves to ride horses will gather at the Circle F Ranch (near the Union County line) for a 10-mile/half-day[ba1] trail ride through the countryside. Registration starts at 9 a.m., and the fee is $25, which includes lunch. All proceeds will benefit the American Heart Associations Heart Walk, which will be held in Spartanburg on Saturday, March 10. You can raise the registration fee anyway you like, Wylie said. Some people like to get pledges from the friends and families. Others just donate the fee out of pocket. It is tax deductible. Circle F Ranch has plenty of parking space for trucks and horse trailers. All participants need to bring their own horses and provide documentation of negative Coggins tests. All horses and horse lovers are invited to participate. We want anyone and everyone with a horse to come out, Wylie said. English, Western, pleasure, backyard pets, it doesnt matter, as long as you have a horse and are willing and able to ride in an organized event. Wylie admits that having a horse-riding fundraiser is not her original idea. She and other local healthcare professionals have been riding in a similar event at Myrtle Beach for the past several years. That event brings in riders from all over South Carolina and is actually held on the beach. "I've been twice and love it," Wylie said. "I hope that someday our event might become as successful." In addition to lunch, local participants will also have a chance at winning horse-related door prizes donated by local horse-related businesses. "Not all of our sponsors are horse-related," Wylie noted. "Some are just concerned and compassionate sponsors, like Palmetto Collision Repair, Carolina Collision, Cherokee Outfitters, Green River Farms, AmbuStar, the Cherokee Womens Center, and Normas Truck Stop. Each sponsor that gives $100 gets a trail marker with their name on it." "This is going to be a 10-mile trail ride through the countryside and wooded area," Wylie said. "Of course, we are hoping for a beautiful warm day, where we can enjoy the fresh air and fellowship. Who knows, this might be the beginning of some great event for years to come. I certainly hope it is with all my heart." Pre-registration is not required, but advance notification will be appreciated for better planning purposes. To RSVP or more information about this event, please contact Wylie at 487-1586. Directions to Circle F Ranch. From Gaffney , take S.C. 18 toward Union and Jonesville. Go about 12 miles to S.C. 211. Look for the sign toward Lockhart and Hickory Grove and turn left. Go about 5 miles. The Circle F Ranch will be on your right. Registration will be in the building with the green roof and rocking chairs on the front porch.
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