Registration for walkers begins at the Piscataquis Regional YMCA at 10 a.m., when pledges are collected. The walk starts at 10:30 a.m., and constitutes a loop through the streets of Dover-Foxcroft, beginning and ending at the YMCA.

All walkers receive a gift of a pedometer that was provided to Mayo at low cost from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Anyone who raises $25 or more in pledges also receives a T-shirt. Pledge forms are available from Heartwise in the Mayo Medical Office Building.

Sponsorship support is also sought for the walk. Businesses who donate $50-99 are listed as sponsors, those who donate $100-500 are listed as benefactors, and those who donate $500-$1,000 are listed as guardians on the T-shirt.

The walk is the major fund-raier for Heartwise. Last year dozens of walkers brought in pledges and businesses contributed donations from Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford, Dexter, Milo and other area towns. The event raised over $12,000 in 2002, with those funds used to purchase exercise equipment and provide scholarships for Heartwise patients.

Heartwise Director Judy Gerrish said scholarship funds are important due to the continued growth in the phase II program and limited insurance coverage for many patients.

Heartwise provides a Phase III program designed for maintenance following a cardiac event, and Phase II program designed for patients who have experienced a recent cardiac event.

Heartwise provides a program of supervised exercise and educational group sessions for people with some type of heart or blood vessel disease. For more information on Heartwise and the Walk for Life, contact Gerrish at 564-4207.