Any past VAM attendee knows he or she will put in a lot of steps on the way to educational sessions, the Exhibit Hall, receptions, plenaries and dancing the night away at the Gala.
This year those steps will count for more than just good health, with a competition to become VAM’s “Top Walker.” Register for the upcoming 2023 SVS Foundation’s Vascular Health Step Challenge and participate in two exciting challenges with just one registration.
“What better way to get people excited about stepping up to improve vascular health than during our annual meeting, where people are already logging thousands of steps?” asked SVS Secretary William Shutze, MD, an enthusiastic stepper himself.
Registration for the VAM Step Challenge, held from June 14 to 17, includes automatic registration for the Foundation’s second annual Vascular Health Step Challenge.
The Step Challenge – walking 60 miles to represent the 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body – is held throughout September, National Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Awareness Month. This month-long campaign urges patients and supporters to get moving in order to improve their vascular health.
In 2022, the Foundation raised more than $90,000 from more than 450 walkers, walking both individually and in teams. Proceeds helped the Foundation amplify the importance of vascular health and promote healthy vascular health habits in communities across the country. “Last year was our inaugural challenge and we were pleased and proud of the outcome,” said Shutze. “We’re aiming higher this year, to raise more money and help more people develop the walking habit and improve their health.”
New this year is a “Pay-it-Forward” plan. Participants can register themselves and fund the $60 registration for a low-income PAD patient to participate in the challenge as well. Top walkers and Pay-it-Forward registrants may be recognized at VAM 2023 and on SVS social media accounts.
VAM attendees can register at vascular.org/Step23 or at “SVS Central,” which will be located just outside the Exhibit Hall on the lower level. SVS Central will be open from 12 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Following VAM, registration will be open at vascular.org/Step23.
