Dear Supporters & Volunteers,
I’m thrilled to share that the DC Council unanimously passed the CPR Act. With support from survivors, physicians, the NFL, students and other advocates, this legislation will ensure that DC schools have cardiac emergency response plans. I want to thank all our advocates, including Board President, Dr. Ameya Kulkarni, Leader of Impact Jude Maboné, Teen of Impact Lara Asch, survivor and Woman of Impact participant Delya Sommerville, survivor John Harrity, Dr. Federico Asch, Dr. Yolandra Hancock, Dr. Bryan O. Buckley and so many others for your efforts to advance this lifesaving legislation. I’d also like to thank our Executives With Heart Chair Jeff Bosick, who stepped in to highlight the critical links between the Heart Walk’s focus on CPR education and our cardiac emergency response advocacy.
Given this news, it’s especially fitting that this year’s Heart Walk will focus on expanding the Nation of Lifesavers by training individuals in hands-only CPR. Come on out and join us Saturday, Nov. 2; we have a great morning planned, with one- and three-mile walking course options, music, fitness demos, games for kids, a pet parade – and of course, demonstrations on how to perform hands-only CPR and save a life. Thank you to Owen Billman of Blake Real Estate for leading the charge for a second time! He chaired in 2019 and is back at it again!
Our Greater Washington Region Golf Tournament hosted 28 teams on the green at the Woodmont Country Club! A huge thank you to our chair Michael Kirshbaum of EAB for his leadership and vision! Planning has already begun for 2025 so now is the time to get involved.
Our work is powered by our incredible volunteers! Read on for powerful survivor stories from local leader Priti Langer and college swimmer Ben Pastva, our newest Leaders of Impact and updates on our work in the community.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Soula Antoniou
Executive Director
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Local Mission in Action
Collaboration with UnitedHealth Group reduces barriers for patients with hypertension
The American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region (AHA GWR), with support from a two-year “Empowering Health Care” grant from UnitedHealth Group, worked alongside CCI Health & Wellness Community Service Center, the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center Clinic, and the Muslim Community Center Medical Clinic. Through collaborations with these health care organizations, uninsured Montgomery County residents received quality hypertension and nutrition care. Read more.
Advancing community health through improved blood pressure care: a lookback at the results from our collaboration with local clinics and food pantries
Backed by a one-year grant from Adventist Healthcare, the AHA GWR recently concluded an initiative to better serve under-resourced residents by providing community and health care organizations with blood pressure monitors, educational materials and blood pressure monitoring training. Learn more.
Elite Soccer Youth Development Academy (ESYDA) Implements a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan
Focusing on a community of 500 families disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease, ESYDA implemented a Community Response Policy Plan for cardiac emergencies. The AHA GWR supported cardiac emergency readiness for the organization by providing CPR Anytime kits (sponsored by Elevance Health), conducting hands-only CPR demonstrations for youth, staff, and parents and helping develop their Cardiac Emergency Response Plan.
Advocacy
CPR Act approved by Council, requiring cardiac emergency response plans in DC schools
The DC Council unanimously passed the Cardiac Planning and Response “CPR” Act, which will require all D.C. schools to have cardiac emergency response plans, so they are prepared to respond to a cardiac arrest in a school building or athletic facility on school grounds. The District joins over 10 states, including Maryland, that have already enacted similar policies. Learn more.
In the News
A special “Restart a Heart Day” segment highlights the Nation of Lifesavers theme at Heart Walk
Board member Dr. Bryan O. Buckley and survivor Delya Sommerville went on the Fox 5 morning show ahead of “Restart a Heart Day” to talk about the profound impact bystander CPR has had on them both. The segment also highlighted how Heart Walk will aim to expand the Nation of Lifesavers by training participants in hands-only CPR. Watch here.
Heart Walk chairs on the radio
Heart Walk chair, Owen Billman and Executives with Heart chair, Jeff Bosick went on WASH-FM to share Jeff’s survivor story, the importance of bystander CPR and how this year’s Heart Walk will emphasize key health themes like workplace wellness. Listen here.
A transplanted heart powered this college swimmer to a school record
After experiencing troubling symptoms culminating in a hospitalization and cardiac arrest, Fairfax native and Randolph-Macon College swimmer, Ben Pastva was diagnosed with a dilated nonischemic cardiomyopathy – a weakened and enlarged heart that wasn’t properly contracting. He needed a new heart, and in September 2021, he received a lifesaving heart transplant. Read Ben’s story.
After Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks concert, mother of 3 had a heart attack
On the Stories from the Heart blog, local survivor and advocate, Priti Langer chronicles her story a year after surviving a heart attack caused by a tear in the wall of a heart artery. She reflects on how her self-advocacy in the face of doubt likely saved her life, the lifestyle adjustments she’s made, and the recovery steps she took after the heart attack to regain her strength. Read Priti’s story.
What seniors need to know about cholesterol on WCYB, 1340AM
Dr. Hassan Tetteh, thoracic surgeon and CEO at Human Care Technologies and AHA GWR board member went on the Senior Zone radio show in honor of Cholesterol Education Month (in September) to talk about what seniors should know about their cholesterol risks and how to manage them. Listen here.
Kyle R. Wilson Elementary School receives $10,000 from the NFL for participation in the Kids Heart Challenge
The Woodbridge school was the winner of a $10,000 physical education makeover as a result of its efforts to teach hands-only CPR to students. Washington Commanders cheerleaders and mascot Major Tuddy joined the AHA in presenting the prize to school staff. Learn more.
For the latest from AHA Science news, check out https://newsroom.heart.org/.
Join Us
Ahead of the Heart Walk, lace up your sneakers and join in for the Move More Activity Challenge
The Move More Challenge, sponsored by Sheehy Auto Stores, is all about adding movement in your day. Whether you’re walking, skipping, biking or dancing, you can track your moves individually or as part of a team. The challenge goes until Heart Walk and the top three challengers receive weekly shoutouts. Sign up by downloading the Heart Walk app and join the Heart Walk today.
Get to know this year’s local Leaders of Impact
Through the Leaders of Impact campaign, individuals are nominated by colleagues, friends or family to embark on a seven-week competition, leveraging their networks to create an impact in their community through fundraising, advocacy and awareness. Nominees for the campaign come from diverse backgrounds. Among them are an emergency responder, a technology executive, a health care leader and one of Vogue’s “Most Influential Woman of Washington” – all united around a vision for fighting heart disease, the number one killer worldwide. Get to know our newest class of Leaders of Impact.