DeKalb-area residents will participate in the American Heart Walk to combat heart disease and stroke this Sunday at the DeKalb High School track.

Rod Schairer, of the National Bank and Trust Company of Sycamore, is chair of this year’s walk. Schairer said the purpose of the American Heart Walk is to raise funds for the American Heart Association, which uses the money toward research and public health education.

Heart disease is the no. 1 cause of death for Americans.

According to a press release issued by the AMA, some things accomplished through their research is developing CPR, angioplasty and anti-rejection drugs for those who receive transplants.

Anyone can participate in the heart walk. Donations are collected through sponsors, teams from businesses or by individuals. The city’s goal is to raise $90,000.

Registration for the walk is at noon. The actual walk begins at 1 p.m. Schairer said that the walk has no definite length. People walk as long as they want to walk, whether it be one lap or a few miles.

Schairer said that DeKalb has been involved with the American Heart Walk for a number of years. He expects a few hundred walkers on Sunday and said that in the past they have had anywhere from 300 to 400 participants. Should weather be an issue, the walk will be moved next door to the DeKalb Recreation Center.

Many local businesses are sponsoring the walk, including the National Bank and Trust Company of Sycamore, IDEAL Industries, the DeKalb Clinic, Old Second Bank, Resource Bank, Farm & Fleet of Sycamore, Midwest Orthopedic, American National Bank, Prairie View Animal Hospital and Wal-mart. There are many other companies with teams of walkers that have collected donations as well.

The walk is sponsored by the American Heart Association and Kishwaukee Community Hospital. There will be music at the event and Subway will provide free sandwiches for participants.