[Photo credit: American Heart Association]
Under the banner “Saving Lives with Every Step: L.A. Heart and Stroke Walk Turns Bystanders to Lifesavers,” today’s event will transform ordinary citizens into potential lifesavers through hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and education.
The annual walk, sponsored by Optum, UCLA Health, and Keck Medicine of USC, will carry special significance as part of the American Heart Association’s centennial celebration.
The morning will kick off at 8 a.m. at the Stadium, at 1001 Rose Bowl Drive. The main program featuring the presentation of “Heartsaver Hero Awards” to two Los Angeles residents who exemplify the event’s mission of creating more lifesavers in our community.
Statistics underscore the event’s vital mission: in 2021, cardiovascular disease claimed more than 931,000 lives in the United States. Nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital do not survive because bystander CPR was not performed.
Through initiatives like today’s walk, the American Heart Association works to change these numbers by creating more trained responders within the community.
Led by event Chairperson Derek Chao, M.D., president and CEO of Optum West, participants will be able to choose between three-mile and one-mile routes, making the event accessible to people of all fitness levels. The growth of this event has been remarkable — from just 80 participants raising $4,876.12 in 2018 to today’s expected 5,000 participants.
The walk will feature several inspiring touches, including a “100 Bold Hearts” display celebrating survivors, CPR heroes, and volunteers — a fitting tribute during the American Heart Association’s 100th year. Founded in 1924 by six cardiologists, the American Heart Association has come a long way from what founder Paul Dudley White described as a time of “almost unbelievable ignorance” about heart disease. The organization has been funding research and promoting heart health for nearly 100 years, supporting CPR education and research since the 1960s.
Children will enjoy a dedicated kids’ zone, while survivors will find respite in a special survivor lounge. The Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas will provide live entertainment, and four-legged friends will be welcome, making it truly a family affair. The free parking and admission will help ensure the event is accessible to all community members.
As participants will make their way around the historic Rose Bowl — which has hosted five Super Bowls, two World Cups, and Olympic events in 1932 and 1984 — they will contribute to a cause that has helped cut death rates from cardiovascular disease in half over the past century. Yet the work continues, with heart disease and stroke remaining the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers, respectively.
The impact of such events extends far beyond Los Angeles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports heart disease and stroke prevention programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, while the World Health Organization has established a global action plan targeting a 25% reduction in premature mortality from cardiovascular disease. For comparison, this year’s First Coast Heart Walk in Jacksonville, Florida, gathered 25,000 participants and raised over $1.2 million.
Funds raised from today’s event will support specific American Heart Association efforts to promote equitable health for all, increase access to quality healthcare, and fund innovative scientific research. While the final numbers are still being tallied, the impact of the day will be clearly visible in the thousands of participants committed to making a difference in community health.
Those interested in learning more about heart health and future events can visit www.heartwalkla.org or call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721).
