The American Heart Association (la Asociación Americana del Corazón) is expanding its efforts to save lives through the Heart Walk campaign driven by businesses.
Nine out of ten people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest die, but cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), especially if done immediately, can double or triple survival rates. This is why the American Heart Association, celebrating 100 years of life-saving service, will expand its efforts to promote CPR education in Northeast Wisconsin through the Fox Cities Heart Walk campaign.
The Fox Cities Heart Walk will take place on September 28 at the Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton. You can sign up at NortheastWisconsinHeartWalk.org.
Heart Walk is the Association’s largest community initiative that raises funds to advance life-saving research, increase CPR education and training, and promote equitable health for all individuals. The expansion of this life-saving initiative will allow companies in Northeast Wisconsin to become CPR advocates.
“Thanks to the broad reach of Heart Walk, we have a unique opportunity to address a significant issue within our community,” said Sophie Ackerman, Director of Development at the American Heart Association. Cardiac arrest can affect anyone at any time, and countless lives in Northeast Wisconsin could be saved if bystanders were confident and prepared to perform CPR. By focusing on fundraising, community education, and corporate engagement, the Heart Walk event aims to improve accessibility to CPR training, enhance bystander preparedness, increase funding for essential research, and ultimately save lives.
“We urge all companies in Northeast Wisconsin to participate in the Heart Walk event and take the first steps towards creating a community of lifesavers. Our community preparedness can make a difference between life and death for someone we know and love.”
The annual Heart Walk campaign, implemented in over 220 cities nationwide, mobilizes companies to improve employee health and well-being while fostering efforts to combat cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death in Northeast Wisconsin. Now, participating companies not only contribute to the fight against heart disease and stroke but also will drive the Nation of Lifesavers™ movement throughout the organization, the Association’s latest commitment to CPR with the goal of doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.
For over sixty years, the American Heart Association has led the way as a global leader in science, education, and CPR training and as the official publisher of CPR guidelines. Through the Nation of Lifesavers initiative, the Association is committed to turning a nation of bystanders into lifesavers. The multi-year initiative supports CPR education, expands AED use, and engages entrepreneurs, politicians, philanthropists, and other members of society to increase the chain of survival. The long-term goal is to ensure that in the event of a cardiac emergency, anyone, anywhere, is prepared and trained to perform CPR.
Businesses interested in participating can contact Sophie Ackerman at Sophie.Ackerman@heart.org. For more information about Fox Cities Heart Walk, visit NortheastWisconsinHeartWalk.org.
In conclusion, the American Heart Association is dedicated to achieving a world with longer and healthier lives. Through partnerships with numerous organizations and the efforts of millions of volunteers, they fund innovative research, support public health, and share resources to save lives. As they celebrate their 100th year in 2024, they are preparing for their second century of discovery and impact with the vision of promoting health and hope for everyone worldwide. For media inquiries, contact Travis Sloan at 608-957-5781 or Travis.Sloan@Heart.org. For public inquiries, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) or visit heart.org and stroke.org.