Linda Lennox mobilizes Boston’s corporate leaders to build community of lifesavers as chair of American Heart Association Heart Walk
Linda Lennox, vice president of corporate communications and chief of staff with Lantheus, will lead the charge as the 2025 American Heart Association Heart Walk Chair to build a community of lifesavers in Boston. Under Lennox’s leadership, top executives throughout Greater Boston 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]. Lennox and a team of top executive leaders are committed to ensuring that more people in Boston are prepared to respond effectively in these life-or-death situations.
“The Heart Walk gives Boston residents and employees an extraordinary opportunity to address a critical issue in our community,” said Karen Whitefield, executive director of the American Heart Association in Boston. “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 Boston. With Lennox 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 Boston. 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 Lennox. “The impact of having a trained, confident lifesaver in every home across Boston 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.”
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.
For Lennox, the Association’s mission is also deeply personal. Her mother had congestive heart failure, her father underwent quintuple bypass surgery and even she herself has come face-to-face with cardiovascular issues.
“For two years I struggled with sudden episodes of my heart racing so fast that I would nearly pass out,” said Lennox. “The uncertainty of when these episodes would occur, and their increasing frequency created a constate state of anxiety. I went from doctor to doctor undergoing many tests and wearing a heart monitor. Eventually, I was diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia and underwent a cardiac catheter ablation, which brought much needed relief to my quality of life and overall heart health.”
The year-round Heart Walk campaign will culminate on Oct. 18 at Boston Common where thousands 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 Ieva Smidt, associate vice president of development at Ieva.Smidt@heart.org. For more information about the Boston Heart Walk, visit BostonHeartWalk.org.
“My message is one of gratitude, purpose and impact. Participation in the Heart Walk is a commitment to the health and well-being of everyone: employees, communities and individuals,” said Lennox. “Supporting the Heart Walk helps to foster a culture of wellness, teamwork and corporate social responsibility that truly makes a difference.”
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For Media Inquiries:
Krista Barber: 614.378.6908 | Krista.Barber@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
[1] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001123 (2023 American Heart Association Stats Update)
[2] Association of Bystander and First‐Responder Efforts and Outcomes According to Sex: Results From the North Carolina