BREWER – An oak tree planted Tuesday at the Children’s Garden on the waterfront in Brewer is a gift from Bangor for losing a mayor’s challenge to get the most city employees out to last year’s American Heart Association’s Heart Walk.

The tree also honors all Brewer residents who have been touched by heart disease or stroke, both deadly killers in the United States.

“Heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S. and stroke is the number three killer,” Sheila Pechinski, chairwoman of this year’s Heart Walk said at a Tuesday press conference.

This year’s Heart Walk is set for Saturday, Oct. 15, at the fitness center at University College in Bangor. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:30 a.m.

Brewer Mayor Joseph Ferris and Bangor Mayor Frank Farrington are holding the challenge again this year. The two mayors will vie with each other in an attempt to have the greatest percentage of municipal employees participating in the Heart Walk.

The winning city will receive a tree to plant to commemorate those who have survived and those who have died from heart diseases.

“Joe, you have to win a tree so my hammock will fit between them,” said former Brewer Mayor Michael Celli, who instigated the challenge with Bangor Mayor Dan Tremble last year.

The new tree was planted at the Children’s Garden, located behind Dead River Co. on South Main Street, which is part of the city’s Penobscot Landing riverfront project.

“Anytime we beat Bangor it’s a little bit of an upset,” Ferris said.

Almost everyone knows someone who has had a heart attack or stroke or both, he said, stressing the need to raise money for research and education.

Farrington said heart disease has recently knocked on his family’s door.

“My brother had a heart attack this year and he survived it,” he said.

When going through the examination process, it was discovered that Farrington’s brother actually suffered two heart attacks, one previously that went undetected until the medical test.

“That’s why it’s so important for early detection,” Bangor’s mayor said.

Thousands of Mainers are hospitalized annually because of heart disease and stroke and more than 4,200 will die as a result of the disease.

The New England Region Heart Walk fundraising goal this year is $85,000, Pechinski said, adding that they’re hoping to have 1,000 walkers participate locally. Last year’s Bangor and Brewer municipal teams raised in excess of $2,000, she said.

Businesses, schools, families, individuals and organizations are invited to participate in the Heart Walk and need only call 848-2888, or (800) 937-0944 to register and receive a team packet. Registration also can be done online at www.heartwalk.kintera.org/bangorme.