Next Avenue: When a cardiologist invited his patients to walk with him in a local park, 100 people showed up. It was the beginning of a global program.

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Cynthia Franklin wanted to join a Lewis Center, Ohio, local walking group. She tried to stay in shape and have some motivation to exercise. When she discovered the Walk With A Doc program during a search on Meetup, Franklin knew she had found the right program for her needs.

Franklin, now 63,…