Murphy-Brown to sponsor the American Heart Association's 2014 Jump Rope for Heart events.

WARSAW, N.C., Feb. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The elementary students of Duplin, Sampson and Bladen counties in North Carolina are jumping at the chance to help fight heart disease, our nation's No. 2 cause of death among children. Jump Rope for Heart allows them to learn about "Heart Healthy" living and participate in fun, active physical activities.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140220/CG68211LOGO) 

By 2020 the American Heart Association wants to improve the cardiovascular health of ALL Americans by at least 20 percent. The 2014 local Jump Rope for Heart events are a great opportunity for school children and their families to get involved and start taking the steps necessary to improve their lives. This year, Murphy-Brown LLC, the livestock production subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, Inc., has partnered with the American Heart Association to sponsor these Jump events in our elementary schools. Through the generous support of companies like Murphy-Brown, we are able to impact more people and build healthier communities.

For 2014 Jump Rope for Heart events, taking place during PE classes February through April, the students will learn, jump, have fun and raise funds for the American Heart Association's cardiovascular research and educational programs. Through the support of Murphy-Brown, every child in Duplin, Bladen and Sampson counties will receive life-saving materials, as well as enjoy fun-filled healthy heart educational activities at school.

"We want people to know that it is never too early to begin a healthy lifestyle," said Don Butler, vice president of Government Relations & Public Affairs for Murphy-Brown. "Our hope is that by supporting healthier kids in our community we can impact the lives of all family members. Here at Murphy-Brown, we are committed to the community, and we are proud to sponsor the local schools' Jump Rope for Heart and hope to help jumpstart a life-long of healthy eating and physical activity among participants. We also hope to increase passion for supporting the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association."

According to the American Heart Association, children who are obese have a much greater chance of becoming obese adults and suffering from heart disease and stroke in their lifetime. Currently in the U.S., someone dies from cardiovascular disease every 40 seconds. Heart disease also kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. And congenital cardiovascular defects are the most common cause of infant death from birth defects.

You can support your local Jump Rope for Heart event at your child's school and help us reverse the trends in childhood obesity.

SOURCE Murphy-Brown