Twice saved from sudden cardiac arrest, local woman to share lifesaving story at Pittsburgh Heart Walk
PITTSBURGH – When Yvonne English Roebuck, EdD, collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest at a party in 2015, her survival depended on the people around her.
A nurse attending the event immediately began CPR and first responders used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to deliver three lifesaving shocks, restoring her heartbeat.
Eight years later, Roebuck faced a second sudden cardiac arrest. This time, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), a device she had initially been hesitant to receive after her first cardiac arrest, delivered a lifesaving shock and restarting her heart to its normal rhythm.
Roebuck's story emphasizes the critical role of immediate bystander CPR during a cardiac emergency. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 90% of people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not survive. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival.
“Above all, I'm grateful,” said Roebuck. “The American Heart Association has been an invaluable resource, providing education and support throughout my journey. I'm here today because people knew what to do and took action.”
Roebuck will share her story at the 2026 Pittsburgh Heart Walk on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Point State Park. As a two-time sudden cardiac arrest survivor, she will join fellow survivors, families and supporters to raise awareness about cardiovascular health and the importance of learning CPR.
The Pittsburgh Heart Walk brings the community together to celebrate survivors, honor loved ones and support the American Heart Association's mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Through fundraising, community education and corporate engagement, the Heart Walk helps expand access to CPR education, fund lifesaving research and advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere.
To register for the Pittsburgh Heart Walk and learn Hands-Only CPR, visit www.Heart.org/PittsburghWalk.
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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.
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