Bridgestone exec walks the walk for charity

May 1, 2012

Gary Garfield, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas Inc., will serve as the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s inaugural national chair for its Take Steps Be Heard walk program.

Take Steps Be Heard is the largest walk program in the country dedicated to raising funds and awareness for digestive diseases, according to the foundation. In its fifth year, the walks have raised more than $30 million for research and patient support services.

“We are thrilled to have Gary’s leadership to help us raise funds and awareness for these often-misunderstood diseases. On behalf of the thousands of people who walk each year, we thank him for taking on this new and very important role,” says Rick Geswell, president of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. “Take Steps Be Heard gives a voice to the 1.4 million American adults and children who are affected by these digestive diseases. Gary’s leadership will help strengthen that voice.”

Garfield currently serves on the board of the Tennessee Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. In addition to his work at Bridgestone Americas, Garfield is a board member of the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and other charities and organizations. 

“I am happy to lend my support to this very important cause,” says Garfield. “I have personally seen the devastating effects these diseases can have. That has inspired me to accept this opportunity to help raise awareness and much-needed funds that will provide patients with support and researchers with the resources they require to one day find cures for these debilitating diseases.”

For more information, see www.cctakesteps.org