(AKRON, OH) June 9, 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 Greater Akron and Stark County, approximately 1,200 people gathered at the Northeast Ohio Heart Walk™ on Saturday, June 6 at 7/17 Credit Union Park, raising more than $262,000 and learning lifesaving CPR skills.

This year's Heart Walk brought together heart disease and stroke survivors, participants from 46 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 recent years, we’ve experienced an increase in heart-related incidents on our projects—several requiring CPR and AED intervention to save lives," said Paul Becks, American Heart Association volunteer co-chair of the Northeast Ohio Heart Walk and president of Welty Construction. "Heart disease touches everyone in some way, and raising awareness is a meaningful step toward prevention and care."

This year's top fundraising companies included Cleveland Clinic Akron General & Mercy Hospitals, Summa Health System, The K Company and Bober Markey Fedorovich.

"As a family physician, I see firsthand how difficult it can be for people to make heart-healthy choices, whether that’s improving their diet, increasing physical activity, or managing stress. Leading the Heart Walk this year gave me an opportunity to bring our community together around the shared goal of improving heart health and supporting lifesaving research," said Dr. Teri Lash-Ritter, volunteer co-chair of the 2026 walk and president – Cleveland Clinic south submarket – Akron General and Lodi Hospitals. "I’m so proud that we were able to create a sense of unity and purpose with families, companies and community members all moving together in support of a healthier future."

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 adults highly 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 Northeast Ohio Heart Walk is locally sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic, Akron Children’s Hospital, Sonoco Metal Packaging and Welty Enterprises. To learn Hands-Only CPR, donate or register for future Heart Walk events, visit heart.org/neowalk.

Editor's Note: Photos from the event can be downloaded at this link. Please give photo credit to the American Heart Association.

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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: 214-706-1173 
Chelsea Caldwell; chelsea.caldwell@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) 
heart.org and stroke.org