Emergency training leader takes the helm to save lives at Greater Maryland Heart Walk
BALTIMORE, July 1, 2025 — The founder of Rescue One Training for Life, a Maryland-based provider of CPR, AED, and emergency preparedness training and equipment, will lead the charge as the chair of the 2025 American Heart Association Greater Maryland Heart Walk to build a community of lifesavers across the region.
Under Jeremy Gruber’s leadership, top executives in Baltimore and throughout Maryland will unite to recruit companies and organizations to join the Heart Walk — a year-round campaign aimed at raising funds to fight cardiovascular disease while equipping people with the education, knowledge, and resources to act in the face of a cardiac emergency by learning CPR.
The American Heart Association, celebrating more than a century of lifesaving service, has put a spotlight on CPR education as a critical element of the Heart Walk campaign. According to the Association, nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die — yet immediate CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival. Gruber and a team of executive leaders are committed to ensuring that more people in Greater Maryland are prepared to respond effectively in these life-or-death situations.
“The Heart Walk gives Marylanders an extraordinary opportunity to address a critical issue in our community,” said Johns Hopkins cardiologist Dr. Seth Martin, last year’s Heart Walk chair and immediate past president of the Association’s local board of directors. “Cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, and the difference between life and death often hinges on the quick actions of a bystander.”
“Through the Heart Walk, we are not just raising funds; we are raising awareness, enhancing CPR training, and building a network of lifesavers throughout our region. With Jeremy Gruber at the helm, we are confident this year’s campaign will have an even greater impact in saving lives,” Martin added.
The Heart Walk, active in over 220 cities nationwide, is more than a fundraiser — it’s a movement that drives corporate involvement in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in Greater Maryland. This year, companies participating in the Heart Walk will play a crucial role in the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative, a national effort aimed at doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.
“My ‘why’ is simple — when minutes matter, seconds count in a cardiac emergency, and too many lives are lost because help doesn’t arrive in time,” Gruber said. “At Rescue One, we’ve seen firsthand the power of CPR and AED training to save lives. I’m honored to lead this year’s Greater Maryland Heart Walk and invite every company, every team, and every individual to join us. Together, we can turn bystanders into lifesavers and make Maryland a model for heart health and emergency readiness.”
The year-round Heart Walk campaign will culminate on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Camden Yards Sports Complex in Baltimore, where thousands of participants will walk to save lives while raising essential funds to advance lifesaving research, increase CPR education and training, and drive equitable health for all people.
Companies interested in participating can contact Elizabeth Lewis at elizabeth.lewis@heart.org. For more information about the Greater Maryland Heart Walk, visit www.GreaterMarylandHeartWalk.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. 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
Wayne Carter, wayne.carter@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
