WAYNE COUNTY, April 2, 2025 – Community leaders Jody Starcher and Sue Smail will lead the charge as the 2025 American Heart Association Heart Walk Chairs to build a community of lifesavers in Wayne County. Under Starcher and Smail’s leadership, top executives throughout Wayne County will unite to recruit companies and organizations to join the Heart 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 a cardiac emergency 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 Walk campaign. According to the Association, nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die [1], yet immediate CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival [2]. Starcher, Smail and a team of top executive leaders are committed to ensuring that more people in Wayne County are prepared to respond effectively in these life-or-death situations.

“The Heart Walk gives Wayne County residents and employees an extraordinary opportunity to address a critical issue in our community” said Lisa Wheeler-Cooper, executive director of the American Heart Association in Northeast Ohio. “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 Walk, we are not just raising funds; we are raising awareness, enhancing CPR training, and building a network of lifesavers throughout Northeast Ohio. With Jody and Sue at the helm, we are confident this year’s campaign will have an even greater impact in saving lives.”

The Heart 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 Wayne County. This year, companies participating in the Heart 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 Starcher. "The impact of having a trained, confident lifesaver in every home across Wayne County cannot be overstated. By joining the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, companies are helping to turn our community from bystanders into lifesavers, ensuring that when a cardiac emergency occurs, there is someone ready to step in and make a difference."

"My dad passed away from a heart attack when he was only 32 years old, so this is near and dear to my heart,” added Smail. “We want to empower our community to know CPR so they can be a vital link in the chain of survival.”

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 emergency, making sure that no one is left without the help they need when seconds count.

The year-round Heart Walk campaign will culminate on Thursday, September 25 at Kean Elementary and Kinney Fields, where hundreds 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 Lisa Wheeler-Cooper at lisa.wheeler-cooper@heart.org. For more information about the Wayne County Heart Walk, visit heart.org/wayneheartwalk.

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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: 214-706-1173
Name: Chelsea Caldwell; chelsea.caldwell@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org