BW public relations students have a real 'heart' for design

When the medical team from the Cleveland Clinic Cardiac ICU raised money for Cleveland's annual Heart Walk this fall, they sported t-shirts designed by Baldwin Wallace University public relations students.

Students from professor Nicole Follen's public relations technology class were given the opportunity to create the designs in a previous semester. The students were introduced to Jenny Buchko, a nurse from the Cleveland Clinic Cardiac ICU, who gave them insight on the importance of her work and the event.

Students Lexi Winklefoos '19, Stephanie Langenfield '18, Alex Elliot '18 and Nicole McKimmy '20 submitted the winning design meeting all of Buchko's needs. They integrated the Cleveland skyline with the spikes of a heart monitor on the front of the tee, with "Find hope in CLE" on the back.

Why They Walk

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), someone dies from heart disease, stroke or other cardiovascular disease every 43 seconds in the United States.

In addition to wearing the shirts in the walk, each of the t-shirts sold supported the AHA by helping to fund innovative research for new treatments, providing programs and services for survivors and their families, and helping the community lower the risk of heart disease.

As of today, the AHA has received nearly $1.2 million in donations for heart health from the walk, which surpassed their original goal of one million dollars.