Virginia Beach, Virginia, June 13, 2024 — Nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), especially if performed immediately, can double or triple survival rates.[1] That is why the American Heart Association, celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service, will broaden efforts to drive CPR education in Hampton Roads through the annual Heart Walk campaign. Julia Jones, Vice President of Quality at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII, will serve as chairperson for the 2024-2025 Hampton Roads Heart Challenge™, a community campaign focused on engaging local companies, corporations and their employees to join the fight against heart disease and stroke. Heart Challenge is comprised of a suite of activities to include Heart Walk, CycleNation, Field Day and Executives with Heart. The Heart Walk is the Association’s largest community facing initiative that raises funds to advance lifesaving research, increase CPR education and training and drive equitable health for all people. The expansion of this lifesaving initiative will empower companies in Hampton Roads to become champions of CPR.
Jones will spearhead efforts in Hampton Roads by rallying fellow corporate leaders and their employees to join the 2024 Heart Walk. "With the expansive reach of the Heart Walk, we have a unique opportunity to solve a big problem right here in our community,” said Jones. “Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time and there are countless lives in Hampton Roads that could have been saved if bystanders were confident and ready to perform CPR. Through fundraising, community education and corporate engagement, the Heart Walk aims to enhance CPR training accessibility, bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for vital research, and ultimately, save lives. We urge every company in Hampton Roads to participate in the Heart Walk, taking the first step towards creating a community of lifesavers. The readiness of our community could be the difference between life and death of someone we know and love”.
As chair of the Heart Challenge™, Jones will lead a team of 15 Hampton Roads executives to recruit companies and organizations to take part in various Heart Challenge™ initiatives including Heart Walk® and Executives with Heart. Through these initiatives, the leadership team and supporting organizations will raise funds for the American Heart Association while leading action-oriented conversations about employee health, corporate engagement, community health and community transformation.
Implemented in over 220 cities nationwide, the year-round Heart Walk campaign engages companies to improve health and well-being of employees while driving efforts to fight against cardiovascular diseases, the no. 1 killer in Hampton Roads. Now, participating companies not only contribute to the fight against heart disease and stroke but also will help drive the organization-wide Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, the Association’s most recent commitment to CPR with the declaration to double survival rates of cardiac arrest by 2030.
“We want at least one person in every household to learn CPR” said Jones. “Imagine the lifesaving impact we could make if every home in Hampton Roads had a hero in waiting who was confident and ready to act in a cardiac emergency. By engaging more people in Heart Walk we can turn our community of bystanders into a community of lifesavers”.
For more than six decades, the American Heart Association has led the way as the global leader in resuscitation science, education and training, and as the official publisher of the guidelines for CPR. Through the Nation of Lifesavers initiative, the Association is committed to turning a nation of bystanders into lifesavers. The multi-year initiative supports CPR education, extends AED use and engages employers, policymakers, philanthropists and others to increase the chain of survival. The long-term goal is to ensure that in the face of a cardiac emergency, everyone, everywhere is prepared and empowered to perform CPR.
The Hampton Roads Heart Walks will take place on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Fort Monroe’s Outlook Beach in Hampton, Virginia and Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 24th Street Park, Virginia Beach Oceanfront in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Companies interested in participating can contact Stephanie Corio at stephanie.corio@heart.org. For information about the Hampton Roads Heart Walk visit www.hamptonroadsheartwalk.org.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Jaylyn Brown: 757-628-2605; jaylyn.brown@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
