Broward Heart Walk aims to make one person per household CPR-ready
DAVIE, Fla. March 11, 2026 — According to the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, approximately 436,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest each year — most often outside a hospital. Bystander CPR can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival, yet fewer than half receive it, highlighting a critical gap in community preparedness. To support the Association’s efforts to enhance CPR readiness and build a community of lifesavers in Broward, more than 9,500 people gathered at the Broward Heart Walk on March 8 at Nova Southeastern University, raising over $850,000 and learning lifesaving CPR skills.
This year's Heart Walk brought together heart disease and stroke survivors and participants from 68 local companies and other community members to learn the lifesaving skills of Hands-Only CPR, celebrate local survivors and support the mission of the Association.
"In a heartbeat, you could be the difference," said Drew Tyrer, American Heart Association volunteer chair of the Broward Heart Walk and CEO of HCA Florida Westside Hospital. "By equipping more people with the skills needed to save a life, we're working toward creating a culture where every home has someone confident and prepared to respond when it matters most. That's extraordinary."
This year's top fundraising companies included HCA Healthcare Florida, Memorial Healthcare System, and Rick Case Automotive Group.
“Knowing that the funds raised at the 2026 Broward Heart Walk will help expand CPR training, advance groundbreaking research, and support programs that strengthen heart health across our community reminds us why this work matters,” said Ellice Martinez, executive director of the American Heart Association, Broward.
“We’re proud to stand alongside so many passionate supporters who are committed to making a real impact.”
According to the Association's 2024 CPR Perceptions Survey, 39% of respondents report feeling "extremely confident" or "very confident" when asked about their ability to perform CPR — an increase from 33% in 2021, which equates to approximately 17.7 million more confident in their CPR skills. However, 61% of respondents still do not report high levels of confidence to act during a cardiac emergency, underscoring the critical need for continued CPR training and awareness.
Heart Walk is the Association’s largest community-facing initiative, reaching more than 10 million people nationwide each year. Through fundraising, community education and corporate engagement, Heart Walk aims to enhance CPR training accessibility, bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for cardiovascular research, and drive equitable health for all people.
The Broward Heart Walk is locally sponsored by CITY Furniture, HCA Florida Healthcare, Rick Case Automotive Group, Stiles, Uniform Advantage, Memorial Healthcare System, FPL, B&I Contractors and Cardio Partners. To learn Hands-Only CPR, donate or register for future Heart Walk events, visit browardheartwalk.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Maggie Salas Amaro; Maggie.salasamaro@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
