Portland healthcare leader takes the helm to save lives

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 20, 2025 — Matthew Kampfe, Brain Rehab Network president, will lead the charge as the 2026 Oregon and southwest Washington Heart and Stroke Walk chairperson and work to add to a community of lifesavers across the region. Under Kampfe’s leadership, top executives throughout Portland and Vancouver will unite to recruit companies and organizations to join the Heart and Stroke 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 cardiac arrest emergencies by learning CPR.

The American Heart Association, which has been saving lives for more than 100 years, has put a spotlight on CPR education as a critical element of the Heart and Stroke Walk campaign. According to the Association, nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die. [1],[2] Kampfe and a team of top executive leaders are committed to ensuring that more people in Oregon and southwest Washington are prepared to respond effectively in these life-or-death situations.

Kampfe is deeply engaged in community leadership, inspired by a personal and generational connection to heart health. His family’s history of heart attack, and the life-saving impact of the Association’s research funding, fuels his commitment. Kampfe credits heart disease research with saving his father’s life and the lives of millions of others. His grandfather also volunteered with the American Heart Association, instilling in Matthew a lifelong respect for the organization’s mission.

“The Heart and Stroke Walk gives Portland and Vancouver residents and employees an extraordinary opportunity to address a critical issue in our community,” said Anthony Mulholland, American Heart Association, Oregon volunteer board president and OHSU Health vice president and chief nursing officer, ambulatory services. “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 and Stroke Walk, we are not just raising funds; we are raising awareness, enhancing CPR training, and building a network of lifesavers throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. With Matthew at the helm, we are confident this year’s campaign will have an even greater impact in saving lives.”

The Heart and Stroke 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 Oregon and southwest Washington. Companies participating in the Heart and Stroke 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.

"We envision a future where at least one person in every household knows CPR," said Kampfe. "The impact of having a trained, confident lifesaver in every home across Oregon and southwest Washington cannot be overstated. By joining the American Heart Association’s Heart and Stroke Walk, companies are helping to turn our community from bystanders into lifesavers, ensuring that when a cardiac arrest emergency occurs, there is someone ready to step in and make a difference."

The American Heart Association is a global leader in resuscitation science, education, and training, and the official publisher of CPR guidelines. Through the Nation of Lifesavers initiative, the Association is committed to empowering individuals everywhere to act in the event of a cardiac arrest emergency, making sure that no one is left without the help they need when seconds count.

The year-round Heart and Stroke Walk campaign will culminate in May and June, 2026 at the Vancouver and Portland Heart and Stroke Walks. 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 Hannah Frey at hannah.frey@heart.org. For more information about the Oregon and southwest Washington Heart and Stroke Walk, visit pdxheartwalk.org.

Additional Resources:

Leer en español

###

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/oregon, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   
 

For Media Inquiries:

Jay Wintermeyer, jay.wintermeyer@heart.org  

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org