PORTLAND, February 3, 2025 — Shannon Drotning, Providence Health Plan consumer and specialty market president, will lead the charge as the 2025 American Heart Association Heart and Stroke Walk Chairperson to build a community of lifesavers in Oregon and southwest Washington. Under Drotning’s leadership, top executives throughout Portland and Vancouver will unite to recruit companies and organizations to join the Heart and Stroke Walk, a year-round campaign aimed at raising funds to fight cardiovascular disease while equipping people with the education, knowledge and resources to act in the face of a cardiac emergency by learning CPR.

The American Heart Association has put a spotlight on CPR education as a critical element of the Heart and Stroke Walk campaign. According to the Association, nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die[1], yet immediate CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival[2]. Drotning and a team of top executive leaders are committed to ensuring that more people in Portland and Vancouver are prepared to respond effectively in these life-or-death situations.

For Drotning, working with the American Heart Association is personal. “My grandfather had a quadruple bypass surgery and my father had three heart attacks,” said Drotning. “These and other family connections to heart disease highlighted the importance of prevention for me. I tell people, ‘Get checked early and often.’” Drotning said in addition to prevention, learning CPR is critical to protecting our loved ones.

“The Heart and Stroke Walk gives our community residents and employees an extraordinary opportunity to address a critical issue in our community,” said Meredith Collett, executive director of the American Heart Association in Oregon and southwest Washington. “Cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, and the difference between life and death often hinges on the quick actions of a bystander. Through the Heart and Stroke Walk, we are not just raising funds; we are raising awareness, enhancing CPR training, and building a network of lifesavers throughout our region. With Shannon at the helm, we are confident this year’s campaign will have an even greater impact in saving lives.”

The Heart and Stroke Walk, active in over 220 cities nationwide, is more than a fundraiser—it’s a movement that drives corporate involvement in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in Oregon and southwest Washington. This year, companies participating in the Heart and Stroke Walk will play a crucial role in the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative, a national effort aimed at doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.

"We envision a future where at least one person in every household knows CPR," said Drotning. "The impact of having a trained, confident lifesaver in every home across the Portland Vancouver area cannot be overstated. By joining the American Heart Association’s Heart and Stroke Walk, companies are helping to turn our community from bystanders into lifesavers, ensuring that when a cardiac emergency occurs, there is someone ready to step in and make a difference."

The American Heart Association is a global leader in resuscitation science, education, and training, and the official publisher of CPR guidelines. Through the Nation of Lifesavers initiative, the Association is committed to empowering individuals everywhere to act in the event of a cardiac emergency, making sure that no one is left without the help they need when seconds count.

The year-round Heart and Stroke Walk campaign will culminate on May 17 in Vancouver and June 7 in Portland where more than 2,000 participants will walk to save lives while raising essential funds to advance lifesaving research, increase CPR education and training and drive equitable health for all people. Companies interested in participating can contact Hannah Frey Hannah.Frey@heart.org. For more information about the Portland and Vancouver Heart and Stroke Walks, visit pdxheartwalk.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/oregon, Facebook, Instagram, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.  

For Media Inquiries:
Jay Wintermeyer, jay.wintermeyer@heart.org

Public Inquiries:
1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721), heart.org and stroke.org