OAKLAND, Calif., October 9, 2024 — More than 2,500 participants joined the American Heart Association throughout September for the Heart and Stroke Walks across the Greater Bay Area, which have raised more than $2,850,000 to date.
Each of the 5K walks—beginning with Santa Rosa on September 15, Walnut Creek on September 21 and San Francisco on September 26—focused on CPR education, training and furthering efforts to build a Nation of Lifesavers, so that one person in every household is prepared and confident to perform CPR.
“When my daughter was three years old, she was drowning in a swimming pool in Phoenix, Arizona,” said Docusign President and 2024 Heart Walk Bay Area chairperson Robert Chatwani at the San Francisco Heart Walk. “I had learned CPR through the American Heart Association at my previous company. I didn’t completely remember my training, but I was confident enough to take action, to perform CPR and to save her life. She is one of the reasons I am part of the American Heart Association and believe so deeply that all of us should get trained in hands-only CPR.”
Corporate and community teams, as well as heart disease and stroke survivors, celebrated the American Heart Association’s Centennial at the events which featured healthy treats, photo booths, face-painting, instructor-led warm-ups, Hands-Only CPR demonstrations and interactive coloring murals. Every walker who joined and every dollar donated goes toward training more people in lifesaving CPR and funding lifesaving research.
The Bay Area Heart and Stroke Walk is the signature event of the American Heart Association’s Heart Challenge program, which is designed to help companies positively impact employee overall health and well-being. The program is anchored in a series of events that inspire employees to engage, connect with colleagues and get physical activity while supporting a great cause.
The top four companies, based on funds raised, are KPMG, Charles Schwab, San Francisco Giants and East Bay Sutter Health. The top five walkers are: Chris Tsakalakis, Russ Stanley, Gavin Geminder, John Maa and Brian Kinion.
This year’s top local Heart and Stroke Walk sponsors are: Atlassian, Chevron, Cisco, Delta Dental, Docusign, Amgen, Charles Schwab, Cytokinetics, Kaiser Permanente and Medtronic.
To learn more the Heart & Stroke Walk and mark your calendar for next year’s event, visit heartwalkbayarea.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. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Instagram, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
FOR Media Inquiries:
Nerissa Itchon, Senior Communications & Marketing Director, nerissa.itchon@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
