The American Heart Association, celebrating 100 years of life-saving service in 2024, is collaborating with companies and community members across Greater Boston to activate Serve Day, a dedicated day of action supporting community wellness, on Friday, Dec. 13. Research shows that 61% of employees who have participated in workplace volunteer activities feel a stronger connection to their company.[i]
On Serve Day, participants have been invited to join a free public webinar to enhance community awareness and education about CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use. The 45-minute webinar will start at 12 p.m. and be led by Dr. Kemar Brown, a cardiologist from Massachusetts General Hospital. Click here to register.
In addition to providing practical guidance on CPR and AED techniques, Dr. Brown’s presentation will explore why some individuals are more likely to receive bystander assistance during a cardiac emergency than others. This crucial topic will highlight the disparities in bystander intervention and offer insights into addressing these inequities to save more lives.
“We know that CPR and AEDs can double or even triple the chance of survival during cardiac arrest, yet bystander intervention rates vary significantly,” said Karen Whitefield, executive director of the American Heart Association in Greater Boston. “This webinar will not only teach life-saving skills but also delve into how systemic factors influence who gets help in these critical moments.”
More than 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals every year. Only about 40% of those impacted receive immediate bystander assistance before emergency services arrive. As a result, survival rates are just 1 in 10.
The American Heart Association urges everyone to learn the life-saving skills of CPR and join its Nation of Lifesavers®, a movement to double survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest by 2030. Being ready to act quickly could be the difference of life or death for someone experiencing a cardiac arrest.
Serve Day is a key element of the Heart of Boston campaign, a year-round initiative dedicated to breaking down barriers to health, investing in cutting-edge research, delivering impactful education, and advocating for equitable health policies. Serve Day is locally sponsored by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.
[i] Corporate Volunteerism Statistics Statistics: Market Data Report 2024 (gitnux.org)