The Heart and Stroke Walk: Empowering Lifesavers and Saving Lives in Greater Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 25, 2024 — The American Heart Association is gearing up for the Greater Los Angeles Heart and Stroke Walk, an event aimed at creating a community of lifesavers. Scheduled for Oct. 27, 2024, at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the walk is set to drive CPR awareness and education in Los Angeles and beyond.
Cardiac arrest is a serious medical emergency, with statistics showing that nine out of 10 people who suffer from it outside the hospital do not survive. In many cases, the lack of bystander CPR is a significant contributing factor to the low survival rates. Recognizing this critical need, the American Heart Association is intensifying its efforts to promote CPR education through events like the Heart and Stroke Walk, which is the largest community event organized by the Association.
Among the thousands expected to participate in this year’s Heart and Stroke Walk are inspiring individuals like 15-year-old Cash Hennessy and school principal Movses Tarakhchyan, both of whom have experienced firsthand the life-saving impact of CPR. Hennessy, a young football player, suffered cardiac arrest at the tender age of 13, but thanks to the quick actions of bystanders who performed CPR, he survived. Reflecting on his experience, Hennessy expressed gratitude for CPR and the heroes who came to his rescue, emphasizing the importance of CPR knowledge for everyone in the community.
Similarly, when cafeteria worker Elizabeth Vallejo went into cardiac arrest, Principal Tarakhchyan sprang into action, applying CPR and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) to revive her. Tarakhchyan’s swift response underscores the critical role that CPR training plays in saving lives, a sentiment he shares as he advocates for CPR education among his staff and community members.
To recognize Tarakhchyan’s heroic actions and promote bystander preparedness, the Greater Los Angeles Heart and Stroke Walk is set to honor him with the Heartsaver Hero Award. The event, sponsored by Optum, UCLA Health, and Keck Medicine of USC, will also provide participants with the opportunity to learn Hands-Only CPR, a simplified form of CPR that focuses on chest compressions without rescue breaths.
Derek Chao, M.D., president and CEO of Optum West and chairperson of this year’s Greater LA Heart and Stroke Walk, commended the community for its efforts in empowering lifesavers and raising funds for crucial research and initiatives aimed at saving lives. He highlighted the progress made in supporting individuals with heart disease and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to address cardiovascular health challenges.
The Heart and Stroke Walk will feature a variety of activities, including three-mile and one-mile walk routes, a kids’ zone, and entertainment such as a live performance by the Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas. A survivor lounge will offer support and recognition to heart disease and stroke survivors, who will receive special baseball caps as a symbol of their resilience and courage.
As the American Heart Association celebrates its centennial, the Heart and Stroke Walk will showcase a 100 Bold Hearts display honoring survivors, CPR heroes, and volunteers who have dedicated themselves to the organization’s mission of promoting heart health and reducing the impact of cardiovascular disease. With over 931,000 lives lost to cardiovascular disease in 2021, the Association’s work has been instrumental in cutting death rates from CVD in half over the past century.
Funds raised at the Heart and Stroke Walk will support initiatives to advance equitable health for all, improve access to quality healthcare for heart disease and stroke patients, and fund innovative research to enhance survival rates and develop new treatments. Through policy advocacy, system changes, and scientific advancements, the American Heart Association is committed to creating a world of longer, healthier lives for everyone.
For more information about the Greater Los Angeles Heart and Stroke Walk, visit HeartWalkLA.org.
The American Heart Association continues to be a beacon of hope and health for communities across the country, driven by its mission to promote cardiovascular health and save lives. As the organization enters its second century, it remains dedicated to advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Join the movement towards a healthier future by connecting with the American Heart Association on social media or reaching out via email.
Media Inquiries: Kristine Kelly: kristine.kelly@heart.org
Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
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