PROVIDENCE, R.I., July 23, 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 the Southern New England region, more than 3,000 people gathered at the annual Heart Walk™ on June 13 at Rhode Island College, raising over $330,000 and learning lifesaving CPR skills.
This year's Heart Walk brought together heart disease and stroke survivors, participants from dozens of local companies and other community members to learn the lifesaving skills of Hands-Only CPR, celebrate local survivors and support the mission of the Heart Association.
This year's top fundraising companies included Brown University Health System, Bank of America and Care New England.
"It has been an honor to serve as chair for this year’s Southern New England Heart Walk, representing Bank of America’s long-standing commitment to giving back to the communities we serve," said Kevin Tracy, president, Bank of America Rhode Island. "The Heart Walk is more than just raising critical funds; it is about connecting, getting active, and saving lives. I am deeply proud of my Bank of America colleagues and everyone in our Rhode Island community who showed up, walked with loved ones, and raised funds to make this year's event such a success."
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 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 Southern New England Heart Walk is locally sponsored by CVS Health, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, AAA Northeast, Delta Dental of Rhode Island, Bank of America, Brown University Health, Encompass Health, FM, Navigant Credit Union, Taco, Marquis and Care New England . To learn Hands-Only CPR, donate or register for future Heart Walk events, donate or visit Southern New England Heart Walk. For more information please email, Gretta.Jacobs@heart.org.
Editor's Note: Photos are available upon request for the event.
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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:
Samantha Bowen: Samantha.Bowen@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
