News Release
April 30, 2008
HMSA go Walk @ Lunch helps workers add exercise to workday
Marisa Takahashi
(808) 948-6056
marisa_takahashi@hmsa.com
Downtown Honolulu was alive today as hundreds of people came together during their
lunch break to enjoy fitness, friendship and fun at the Hawaii Medical Service Association’s
(HMSA) go Walk @ Lunch event at Tamarind Park.
The HMSA go Walk @ Lunch is a community awareness event
that encourages people with busy lifestyles to get up, get out and get active during
lunchtime as a way to squeeze more physical activity into a day.
“We all have a schedule that revolves around our workday,” said Cliff
K. Cisco, HMSA senior vice president. “Trying to fit exercise into our lives
before or after work can be challenging. But using time within the workday –
such as lunchtime – is an excellent way to get more physical activity. That’s
what the HMSA go Walk @ Lunch is all about.”
Downtown workers and HMSA employees took a brisk walk around Bishop Square today,
earning prizes and giveaways along the way. Community organizations were also on
hand to share health and fitness information with event participants and the public.
HMSA employees also participated in lunchtime walks at the organization’s Kapolei,
Kaimuki and Kauai locations.
Just 30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week is good for your muscles, bones
and joints. It may also help prevent high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity,
diabetes, and other serious health conditions.
Today’s event is part of the second annual National Walk @ Lunch Day, a Blue
Cross and Blue Shield Association health initiative taking place in dozens of cities
across the country.
Other organizations co-sponsoring today’s event include the American Heart
Association, Hawaii State Department of Health, Meadow Gold Dairies of Hawaii, National
Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, and YMCA of Honolulu.
HMSA is a nonprofit, mutual benefit association founded in Hawaii in 1938. It is
governed by a community board of directors that includes representatives from health
care, business, labor, government, education, clergy, and the community at large.
HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Nationally,
HMSA and 38 other Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans provide worldwide coverage to
nearly 100 million members.
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