The American Heart Association working to turn bystanders into lifesavers with Nation of Lifesavers™ campaign
The American Heart Association is proud to announce that the Greater New Haven Heart Walk will now take place in the fall, bringing with it an exciting new focus as part of the Nation of Lifesavers™ campaign. The October 2025 Greater New Haven Heart Walk event will spotlight Hands-Only CPR, offering participants life-saving training that can double or even triple the chance of survival for someone experiencing cardiac arrest.
In addition to CPR education, attendees will take part in a 1, or 3-mile walk—celebrating heart health, community strength, and the power of preparedness. By empowering individuals with this simple yet critical skill, the Heart Walk is helping to build a stronger, more resilient community.
“While we’re keeping some beloved traditions from past New Haven Heart Walks, this year we’re introducing an important new focus: CPR education,” said American Heart Association Executive Director, Adria Giordano. “With over 90% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests ending in tragedy, it’s vital that more people are equipped with this lifesaving skill. By empowering our walkers with the knowledge to respond in an emergency, we’re not only aiming to save lives—we’re also raising awareness and essential funds to support critical research.”
Seven in 10 people in America say they feel powerless to act in the face of a cardiac emergency. As a result, less than half of all people who need this lifesaving skill receive CPR from bystanders before professional help arrives. The American Heart Association Nation of Lifesavers campaign challenges everyone to join the Nation of Lifesavers and commit to make CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) awareness and education a permanent fixture in all communities across the country.
This event has been a cornerstone of the Greater New Haven community for three decades. While we’re moving it to the fall season, our dedication to the communities we serve—and to making the Heart Walk an outstanding experience—remains steadfast,” said Development Director Chelsea DeGroat. “We’re looking forward to what lies ahead for this event, but even more inspired to continue creating a nation of lifesavers. Our goal is for everyone, everywhere to be confident and empowered to perform CPR, becoming a link in the chain of survival.”
For the past thirty years, the Greater New Haven Heart Walk has played a vital role in uniting the community, bringing together supporters, volunteers, and sponsors to honor survivors and raise essential funds for education and lifesaving research. This year’s event will deepen its impact by offering participants Hands-Only CPR training, giving them the tools to save lives while enjoying a meaningful walk with family and friends.
More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year, according to the Association, which is working to increase the number of bystanders who use CPR in an emergency. The Association is the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives for all, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Hands-Only CPR is chest compression only CPR. Science has shown that following a witnessed cardiac arrest of a teen or an adult, compression-only CPR can be equally effective in the first few minutes of emergency response. If a teen or adult suddenly collapses, witnesses should immediately call emergency services and begin chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute and a depth of at least two inches. The Association encourages everyone, regardless of where they live, to take 90 seconds to learn how to save a life now at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.
For information on becoming a Team Captain or a sponsor of the 2025 Greater New Haven Heart walk, contact Chelsea DeGroat at Chelsea.degroat@heart.org.