ERIE, PA, July 24, 2026 — According to the American Heart Association, 9 in 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not survive, and more than half do not receive CPR from a bystander. When CPR is provided immediately, it can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. To help ensure more Erie residents are prepared to respond in a cardiac emergency, David Markiewicz, chief executive officer of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Erie, will serve as chair of the 2026 Erie Heart Walk.
Heart Walk is the largest community initiative of the American Heart Association. Through fundraising, education and workplace involvement, the program supports groundbreaking research, expands access to CPR education and advances the Association’s mission to improve health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Under Markiewicz’s leadership, local employers, and community leaders will work to recruit other organizations to join the campaign and help build a community of lifesavers.
“Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, and a quick response can make all the difference,” Markiewicz said. “Our goal is to have at least one person in every household feeling confident to perform CPR. By supporting the Heart Walk, we’re investing in education, awareness and lifesaving skills that strengthen our community.”
According to the Heart Association’s 2024 CPR Perceptions Survey, 39% of people — or approximately 103 million U.S. adults — now feel “extremely confident” or “very confident” they could correctly perform CPR, up from 33% in 2021. That’s roughly 17.7 million more adults who are highly confident in their ability to conduct CPR, yet 61% still lack high confidence to act in a cardiac emergency.
“While we’re extremely proud of the progress that’s been made over the last several years, our work is far from over, “said Francis D. Ferdinand, MD, medical director and division chief of Cardiac Surgery at UPMC Hamot and board president of the American Heart Association in Erie. “David understands the strength of Erie and the power of neighbors helping neighbors. His passion for improving health and safety throughout our region makes him an exceptional choice to lead this year’s Heart Walk.”
The Heart 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 2026 Erie Heart Walk will take place on Thursday, September 10 at Liberty Park. An estimated 1000 participants are expected to walk in celebration of local survivors and the lifesaving progress made in the region. Companies interested in participating can contact Gina Klofft, executive director of the American Heart Association, Erie division at G.R.Klofft@heart.org. Learn more and register at www.heart.org/ErieWalk .
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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:
Karen Colbert: 412.475.4928; karen.colbert@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
