AUSTIN, July 15, 2025 — One and a half decades after discovering that the American Heart Association funded the experimental heart surgery that saved his daughter’s life, Salute Mission Critical CEO Erich Sanchack is turning philanthropy into action – on a global scale. Sanchack is on a mission to train all 1,800+ employees of Salute Mission Critical across the world in CPR in the next two years. 

Sanchack’s journey with the American Heart Association began in 2010 as a volunteer project lead for Washington, D.C.’s Heart Walk. Years later, doctors discovered that his 12-year-old daughter Dani had an incredibly rare heart defect, requiring experimental surgery that had hardly ever been performed on live patients. The successful procedure at Johns Hopkins was made possible by Heart Association-funded research, launching Sanchack’s passionate journey as an Association board member, raising millions of dollars for heart health. 

Now, as CEO of Salute and a board member for the Association in Austin, Sanchack is launching an ambitious effort to train all 1,800+ Salute employees in CPR over the next two years. With 90% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests proving fatal without immediate action, the initiative supports the Association’s goal of doubling the number of CPR-capable Americans, turning a nation of bystanders into a Nation of Lifesavers. 

This will create a company of lifesavers, but Sanchack hopes that the impact goes even further beyond the bounds of Salute. 

“If I’m able to lead the charge to create a healthier world at Salute, other companies can, too,” said Sanchack. “I call on all of my fellow executive leaders to reach out to your networks, speak to your friends and develop a plan to make your companies 100% trained in CPR as well. With your help, we can make Austin the safest place in America to have a cardiac arrest.” 

Sanchack’s Impact by the Numbers: 

  • $5.5M raised for heart health 

  • Record-breaking fundraising years for Washington, D.C. (2016) and Austin (2020) 

  • 12 countries impacted 

  • Working with 90% of the world’s leading data center providers, Salute has the network to promote the Association’s work 

Saving a life takes just two simple steps. First, call 9-1-1 if you see a person collapse, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a song that has at minimum 100 beats per minute, such as . Hands-Only CPR can double of triple someone’s chances of survival. Learn more about Hands-Only CPR at heart.org/nation. The upcoming Austin Heart & Stroke Walk, coming up on Nov. 16, 2025 at Waterloo Park, encourages all Austinites to learn Hands-Only CPR to create a healthier community. For more about the 2025 Austin Heart & Stroke Walk, visit 2025 Austin Heart & Stroke Walk - Heart Walk - American Heart Association. 

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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 

Michael Vybiral: michael.vybiral@heart.org  

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

heart.org and stroke.org