Local leaders to co-chair 2026 Heart & Stroke Walk and citywide push for CPR readiness
VICTORIA, Texas Dec. 18, 2025 — 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 Victoria and the crossroads area, Haley Willemin, president at Prosperity Bank Victoria North, and Felicia Harral will chair the 2026 Crossroads Heart & Stroke 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 Willemin and Harral’s leadership, top executives in Victoria and the surrounding areas will work to recruit other organizations to join the local Heart & Stroke Walk campaign and help build a community of lifesavers.
“Our goal is helping people live longer, healthier lives—and raising awareness about CPR is a crucial part of that,” said co-chair Haley Willemin. “Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, and survival often depends on whether someone nearby knows what to do. By raising awareness, we can turn more bystanders into lifesavers. Joining the Crossroads Heart & Stroke Walk is a powerful way for individuals and teams to ensure they’re ready when every second counts.”
According to the Heart Association’s 2024 CPR Perceptions Survey, 39% of people — or approximately 103 million U.S. adults — now feel “extremely confident” or “very confident” they could correctly perform CPR, up from 33% in 2021. That’s roughly 17.7 million more adults who are highly confident in their ability to conduct CPR, yet 61% still lack high confidence to act in a cardiac emergency.
“While we’re proud of the progress made in reducing heart disease, our work is far from over," said co-chair Felicia Harral. "Preventing heart disease starts with awareness and action. The Heart & Stroke Walk is an opportunity for our community to come together, take steps toward healthier lives, and make a lasting impact”
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 Crossroads Heart & Stroke Walk will take place on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 at Riverside Park. An estimated 800 participants are expected to walk in support of heart health awareness. Companies interested in participating can contact CrossroadsHeartWalk@heart.org. Learn more and register at crossroadsheartwalk.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
Reyna Caraveo: reyna.caraveo@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
