LOS ANGELES, Sept. 25, 2024 — Creating a community of lifesavers. That’s the focus of this year’s American Heart Association Greater Los Angeles Heart and Stroke Walk scheduled for Oct. 27, 2024 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital do not survive. In most cases, bystander CPR was not performed. That is why the American Heart Association is broadening its efforts to drive CPR awareness and education in Los Angeles and communities across the country through the Heart and Stroke Walk, the Association’s largest community event.

Among the thousands who will participate in the annual Heart and Stroke Walk are local residents, including 15-year-old Cash Hennessy, whose life was saved by CPR, and school principal Movses Tarakhchyan, who used CPR to save the life of a colleague.

Hennessy was playing football when he suffered cardiac arrest two years ago at only 13 years old. Parents from the stands recognized he was having a cardiac emergency and rushed down to perform CPR. “I’m alive because of CPR and the heroes who came to my rescue. I hope to one day see a Los Angeles where every person knows how to respond to cardiac emergencies like what I experienced,” said Hennessy.

When Elizabeth Vallejo, a cafeteria worker at Hesby Oaks Leadership Charter, went into cardiac arrest, Tarakhchyan knew what to do. The school principal immediately performed CPR while a colleague called 911 and another ran to get the AED (automated external defibrillator), which he used to deliver the shocks that revived Vallejo’s heart. “I used to be a lifeguard, so I understood the lifesaving power of CPR. One of the first things I did as the school principal was to require staff to learn CPR. Little did I know I would be using the skill to save my colleague’s life,” said Tarakhchyan.

To highlight the importance of learning CPR and promote bystander preparedness, the Greater Los Angeles Heart and Stroke Walk, sponsored by Optum, UCLA Health and Keck Medicine of USC, will honor Tarakhchyan’s lifesaving actions with the Heartsaver Hero Award. Walk participants will also have the opportunity to learn Hands-Only CPR, or CPR without rescue breaths, at the event.

“It’s been inspiring to see our community rally around empowering lifesavers and raising funds for vital research and initiatives to save and improve lives,” said Derek Chao, M.D., president and CEO of Optum West and this year’s chairperson of the Greater LA Heart and Stroke Walk. “Together we have made great progress, and this American Heart Association event helps ensure we continue to build on our accomplishments to support those with heart disease.” 

The event will include three-mile and one-mile walk route options, a kids’ zone, entertainment, including a live performance by the Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas, and a survivor lounge where heart disease and stroke survivors will receive special baseball caps.

To mark the American Heart Association’s centennial, the Heart and Stroke Walk will feature a 100 Bold Hearts display celebrating heart disease and stroke survivors, CPR heroes and volunteers who have devoted their lives to the organization’s mission.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, claimed more than 931,000 lives in 2021, according to the latest available statistics. For 100 years, the American Heart Association’s lifesaving work has helped cut death rates from CVD in half. Funds raised at the Heart and Stroke Walk support efforts to promote equitable health for all through policy, system and environmental change, increase access to quality health care for all heart disease and stroke patients, and fund innovative scientific research to further improve survival and find cures.

For information about the Los Angeles Heart and Stroke Walk, go to HeartWalkLA.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. 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 Facebook, Instagram and X or email us at LAvolunteers@heart.org.

 

Media Inquiries: Kristine Kelly: kristine.kelly@heart.org

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

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