Local External Relations Professional to Chair 2026 Fairbanks Heart Walk and Support Community CPR Readiness
Fairbanks, Alaska, Feb. 9, 2026 — According to the American Heart Association, 9 in 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die, and more than half don’t receive bystander CPR. CPR — especially if performed immediately — can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. To help improve cardiac arrest outcomes in the Alaska interior, Lanien Livingston, External Relations at Foundation Health Partners, will chair the 2026 Fairbanks Heart Walk, leading a year-round effort to rally companies and community members to raise critical funds and expand CPR education.
Heart Walk is the largest community-facing initiative of the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere. Through fundraising, community education and corporate engagement, Heart Walk aims to make CPR education and training more accessible, fund vital research and drive equitable health for all. Under Livingston’s leadership, top executives in Fairbanks will work to recruit other organizations to join the local Heart Walk campaign and help build a community of lifesavers.
“Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time, and outcomes often depend on whether someone nearby knows what to do,” Livingston said. “I care deeply about the Fairbanks community and want our friends and neighbors to feel educated, prepared, and confident to act in a cardiac arrest emergency. Through the Fairbanks Heart Walk, we’re encouraging CPR education and practice, so people are ready when it matters most. I also invite community members to learn more about the 2026 Fairbanks Heart Walk, form a team, and join us for a fun, meaningful event on May 16, 2026.”
The Heart Association is a global leader in resuscitation science, education and training, and the official publisher of CPR guidelines. Through the Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, the Association is working to ensure that more people are ready to perform CPR and be a vital link in the chain of survival, supporting its goal of doubling the survival rate from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by 2030.
The Fairbanks Heart Walk will take place on Sat. May 16, 2026 at the Carlson Center. Companies interested in forming a corporate team can contact Deborah Rinckey, Fairbanks Heart Walk Director, at Deborah.Rinckey@heart.org. Learn more and register at FairbanksHeartWalk.org.
Additional resources:
- Multimedia is available on the right side of the release
- Read in Spanish
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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. In Alaska, connect with us on heart.org/Alaska, Facebook, Instagram or X.
For Media Inquiries:
Valerie Koch, valerie.koch@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
