Chip’n Away at Heart Disease brings awareness

To kick off Teams Against Heart Disease Red Shoelace Project, a community health initiative by the nonprofit organization Chip’n Away at Heart Disease, co-founder Cynthia Malone spoke about the cause at Saturday’s Warner Robins High School vs. Northside High School basketball game.

Chip’n Away at Heart Disease promotes preventive measures to improve heart health. The organization was founded in 2011 by the late Coach Narleski “Chip” Malone, who found out in 1997 that he had heart disease. He is a former head coach for the varsity boys basketball team at Warner Robins High School from 1991 to 2009 and taught for 32 years in the Houston County school system. His wife, Cynthia, continues to carry out her husband’s efforts in fighting heart disease.

Cynthia and her husband partnered with many organizations throughout the state of Georgia and have spoken to 10,000 students in health sciences and physical education classes in eight of the 13 north central Georgia counties. With the Teams Against Heart Disease Red Shoelace Project, county-wide, students in the athletic program in middle and high school wear red shoelaces during games to show heart awareness and join in the fight against heart disease.

Saturday was a “Red Out” game, where the players, cheerleaders and coaches recognized heart awareness by wearing red shoelaces.

Cynthia thanked Northside for their support and remembering that “it’s about the cause, not the color.”

“I’m hoping for full participation this year,” she said, adding that she’s looking forward to the project becoming better in years to come.

With there being a new generation, Cynthia said a lot of young people may not know about her husband, but they do know about heart disease and the efforts by Chip’n Away At Heart Disease.

“I think Saturday was a success,” she said.

Cynthia noted they have started a new promotion, #chipnRED, where they’re asking people to post selfies on social media, adding the hashtag, and tagging their Chip’n Away At Heart Disease Facebook page. In support, the Warner Robins cheerleaders wore their #chipnRED T-shirt at Saturday’s game.

The promotion will go until Feb.3, which is National Wear Red Day. Cynthia said the individual who posts the most with the hashtag will win a prize, which will be announced on Feb. 3.

Also, to make a donation to the organization, visit www.chipnaway.com. Cynthia said they’re anticipating helping a family in the next couple of weeks.

She’s also hoping to get support from local businesses and churches to join in on the fight against heart disease by featuring the message on their marquee.

To book Cynthia to speak at events during the month of February, email newstart1@cox.net.

“It’s about life and breath and they want to have a quality life,” she said about heart health. “It’s not an old person disease. The main thing we need is the major organ of the body functioning properly.”

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