SEATTLE, Sat. Oct. 10, 2026 — According to the American Heart Association, a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, approximately 436,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest each year, most often outside a hospital. Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, can double or triple a person's chance of survival, yet fewer than half of cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR.

To support the Association's efforts to build a community of lifesavers and expand CPR readiness in Washington, thousands of people participated in the 2026 Washington Heart and Stroke Walk events in Spokane, Tacoma and Seattle, with the final event taking place earlier this morning at Seattle Center.

The lifesaving impact of CPR was highlighted throughout this year's events by three Washington residents whose lives were saved because someone stepped in to help. Kyra Smithlin of Puyallup, Wash. suffered a cardiac arrest at home. Her son called 911 while her husband began CPR. Shelly Copeland of Spokane Valley, Wash. experienced cardiac arrest while teaching a classroom of third grade students. Colleagues quickly responded with an automated external defibrillator (AED) and CPR. Ben Hanowell of Shoreline, Wash. suffered a cardiac arrest while sleeping at home. His wife called 911 and, with guidance from a dispatcher, began CPR until emergency responders arrived.

Each survivor participated in their respective Washington Heart and Stroke Walk’s opening ceremony recognizing the chain of survival, sounding a ceremonial drum as participants joined in applause to symbolize the collective heartbeat of the community. At each walk’s finish line, heart disease and stroke survivors were also invited to sound the drum in celebration of their own journeys.

"There is a common misconception that CPR is something only trained professionals can do, when in fact it is a skill that many people can learn and perform," said Jorge Salazar, M.D., volunteer co-chair of the Washington Heart and Stroke Walk and executive medical director and chief cardiac surgeon, Mary Bridge Children’s Heart Center. "Kyra, Shelly and Ben are living proof that CPR saves lives. By helping more people learn this simple skill, we can create communities where more people are prepared to act in those critical moments before emergency responders arrive."

Participants gathered to honor lives impacted by heart disease and stroke, remember loved ones lost to cardiovascular disease, celebrate survivors and raise more than $1.4 million to support the mission of the American Heart Association. This year's top fundraising companies included MultiCare Health System, UW Medicine and Delta Dental of Washington. The top fundraising community teams were Team Cesily, Team Wadel and Heartbeat Heroes.

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 Washington Heart and Stroke Walk is locally sponsored by MultiCare Health System and Delta Dental of Washington. To make a donation or register for future Heart Walk events, visit WashingtonHeartWalk.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.  In Washington, visit heart.org/Washington, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X. 

For Media Inquiries:  

Lily Gordon: lily.gordon@heart.org   

Valerie Koch: valerie.koch@heart.org  

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) 

heart.org and stroke.org