NILES — Students at Howard-Ellis Elementary in Niles are “jumping” at the chance to fight heart disease and stroke, the nation’s number one and number five killers, according to the Center for Disease Control. 

On Monday, Howard-Ellis Elementary will host its 11th annual Jump Rope for Heart event to raise money for the American Heart Association, which funds lifesaving heart and stroke research and community and educational programs for youth.

Jump Rope for Heart seeks to teach students how physical fitness benefits the heart, while attempting to show them that volunteering can be a fun and positive experience for the whole community.

According to the Center for Disease Control, from 2015 to 2016 nearly one in five school age children and young people 6 to 19 years old in the United States has obesity.

“By including physical activity into their daily routines, kids can significantly reduce the onset and burden of heart disease,” said Margo Tramel. “By raising money through Jump Rope for Heart, we are preventing heart disease and obesity for the next generation of Americans. Kids are literally jumping into a heart healthier life while becoming passionate about raising money for other kids with sick hearts.”

For 39 years, millions of students have participated in this event and jumped rope and learned about heart health and how nutrition and physical activity can help prevent heart disease and stroke. Jump Rope for Heart is co-sponsored by the American Heart Association and SHAPE America-Society of Health and Physical Educators.

The community can help the cause by making a donation. To do so, call (269) 209-8136 or call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721). Donations can also be made online at heart.org/jump.