SEATTLE, June 17, 2026 — According to the American Heart Association, 9 in 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die, and more than half don’t receive bystander CPR. Especially if performed immediately, CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

To help improve cardiac arrest outcomes across Washington, volunteer chairs Amy Winsor, assistant vice president of the Heart Center, and Jorge Salazar, M.D., a pediatric heart surgeon, both from Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, will work alongside fellow volunteer executives to lead the American Heart Association’s Washington Heart and Stroke Walk campaign. Across three fall events, the Association will expand access to CPR education and raise critical funds to support its lifesaving mission.

Heart Walk is the largest community-facing initiative of the Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere. In advance of the walk, registered walkers have the opportunity to access a 90-second Hands-Only CPR educational video to familiarize them with the steps to take if they encounter someone who has experienced cardiac arrest. On event day, a Hands-Only CPR booth will be available for walkers to practice chest compressions with mannikins.

Winsor and Salazar will be supported by executive leaders from across Washington including:

  • Eddie Bratko, MultiCare Health System
  • Jita Buño, UW Medicine
  • Kevin Donovan, Columbia Bank
  • Annie Fowler, Sound Physicians
  • Bob Huskey, Costco
  • Pete Miller, Clark Nuber
  • Yvette White, Delta Dental of Washington

These volunteer leaders will be guided by Executives with Heart chair, Todd Czartoski, M.D., executive vice president and chief physician officer, MultiCare Health System, and tasked with recruiting other organizations to join the Washington Heart and Stroke Walk campaign and help build a community of lifesavers.

The Association is a global leader in resuscitation science, education and training, and the official publisher of CPR guidelines. Through the Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, the Association is working to ensure that more people are ready to perform CPR and be a vital link in the chain of survival, supporting its goal of doubling the survival rate from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by 2030.

The Washington Heart and Stroke Walk events will take place on Sat. Sept. 19 in Spokane and Tacoma and on Sat. Oct. 10 in Seattle and are sponsored locally by MultiCare Health System, Providence Health Plan and Delta Dental of Washington. An estimated 5,000 participants are expected to walk in celebration of local survivors and the lifesaving progress made in Washington. Companies interested in participating can contact local Heart and Stroke Walk vice president Jen Masar at jen.masar@heart.org. Learn more and register at 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:

American Heart Association

Valerie Koch, valerie.koch@heart.org

Lily Gordon, lily.gordon@heart.org

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

heart.org and stroke.org