On November 2, 2024, among DC’s national monuments, thousands of survivors, business leaders, medical professionals and other supporters took steps to save lives and celebrate this iconic annual event. Representing more than 500 teams, 84 companies and around 10,000 walkers, Heart Walk supporters raised $2 million to advance CPR education, research and scientific innovation, and other efforts to improve community wellbeing across the Greater Washington Region and around the world.
Celebrating 100 years, our work remains critical: heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, and stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death. More than 350,000 cardiac arrests happen each year and bystander CPR is performed less than half the time. At this year’s Heart Walk, we reflected on the urgency of our mission and the signs of promise. Just two weeks before the walk, the DC Council passed the CPR Act, requiring schools to have cardiac emergency response plans. And through the Heart Walk, we’re expanding the Nation of Lifesavers by demonstrating the two simple step of hands-only CPR.
We’d like to thank 2024 Heart Walk Chair Owen Billman, president of Blake Real Estate and Executives With Heart Chair Jeff Bosick for making the event a success. We’d also like to thank our sponsors, Kaiser Permanente, Sheehy Auto Stores, Blake Real Estate, Amgen, Booz Allen Hamilton, Burness, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, DAVIS Construction, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Leidos, Millennium Corporation, MITRE, Peraton, RSI, Shoppers Food, Van Metre, Verizon, WASH-FM, Fox 5, City Girls Who Walk and DC Fray.
The Executives With Heart campaign raised a record $715,000 – our best year to-date. We’d like to thank our top fundraisers, Linda Gooden of Gooden LLC, Vince Sheehy of Sheehy Auto Stores, Owen Billman of Blake Real Estate, Vicki Schmanske of Leidos and Marlena Villar of Inova.
The event was emceed by WASH-FM radio personality Jenni Chase, returning for the fourth year and Fox 5’s Shirin Rajaee, both of whom opened the day by reflecting on their personal connections to this issue. Fitness pro Laurent Amzallag helped walkers warm up and cool down with a fun stretching and aerobic routine. This year, the walk featured a special survivor lane honoring heart disease, heart attack, stroke and cardiac arrest survivors as they crossed the finish line. Singer Gray Gatling delivered the national anthem with support from the United States Army Continental Color Guard. Leaders of Impact and Women of Impact participants took the stage to help lead the countdown to the start of the walk. The event also featured a kids’ zone with games and activities for all ages and the highly anticipated pet parade boasting a record amount of dogs.
Funds raised by the Heart Walk ensure more cardiovascular research is advanced and our community has access to the quality care and resources they need to thrive. Donations in support of the Greater Washington Region Heart Walk can be made through the end of 2024 at www.GreaterWashingtonHeartWalk.org.