Richmond resident John Jenks rescued by an untrained bystander after collapsing On a peaceful morning, John Jenks went out on his routine ride to watch the sunrise. One moment, Jenks was riding his bike across the Nickel Bridge in Richmond, Virginia. The next, he woke up in the hospital, unable to recall what happened. Unbeknownst … Read more
Healthcare visits can be intimidating, and for some, even accessing care in the first place is a challenge. That’s why Another Level Barbering and Cosmetology School (ALBCS) is collaborating with the American Heart Association to bring health resources to their students and clients. On the Friday morning before World Hypertension Day (May 17), ALBCS offered … Read more
On March 24, 2025, Virginia Governor Glen Youngkin signed SB817 and HB1695 into law. This new legislation requires schools to develop and implement cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs). A cardiac emergency response plan is a written document that establishes specific steps to reduce death from cardiac arrest in school settings. A CERP can increase survival … Read more
Kelli Lemon named American Heart Association Central Virginia Leaders of Impact™ winner Kelli Lemon, local entrepreneur and media personality, has been named the American Heart Association Central Virginia 2024 Leaders of Impact™ winner for her work driving equitable cardiovascular health in RVA. The American Heart Association is a global force for a world of longer … Read more
Terrence Kerner named 2025 Richmond American Heart Association Heart Ball Chair For more than 100 years, the American Heart Association has committed to advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Through Heart of Richmond’s Heart Ball campaign, Terrence Kerner, volunteer chairperson and president for Atlantic Constructors, Inc. will lead community-wide efforts to help ensure every … Read more
American Heart Association signature event supports heart disease research, celebrates survivors and raises awareness of CPR Nearly 3,000 people joined the Richmond Heart Walk on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Innsbrook, raising over $655,000 in critical funds for heart disease and stroke research. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and stroke ranks second globally. … Read more
The American Heart Association’s Leaders of Impact™ nominees work to advance health and hope for everyone everywhere through community fundraising and philanthropy The American Heart Association believes that everyone everywhere deserves the opportunity to live a full, healthy life. That’s why seven Central Virginia leaders are joining the Association’s Leaders of Impact™ initiative, working to … Read more
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize Dr. Patricia Rodriguez-Lozano, an inspiring leader dedicated to improving women’s heart health. As a Peruvian-born cardiologist, Dr. Rodriguez-Lozano serves as the Director of the Women’s Heart Care Program, Co-Director of the SCAD Clinic, and Associate Program Director of the Cardiovascular Fellowship at the University of Virginia. Her … Read more
Hola! My name is Xiomara Encarnacion, and I am an Agency Relations Regional Manager with Feed More. I am also a proud Latina living in Richmond, Virginia, and a Proud member of the Central Virginia American Heart Association’s Board of Directors. As a Hispanic woman, the American Heart Association’s mission is deeply personal to me. … Read more
The American Heart Association and East End Fellowship launched a new Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) at the historic Robinson Theater. Located in Richmond’s East End, the Robinson Theater is a space for community events and programs, including East End Fellowship’s weekly Sunday service. A CERP is a written document with that establishes evidence-based steps … Read more
The American Heart Association and Richmond Heart Walk Healthy for Good sponsor, Molina Healthcare, will honor someone who has made healthy lifestyle changes at this year’s Richmond Heart Walk on Saturday, October 19 at Innsbrook. Nominations opened on August 1 for the Richmond Lifestyle Change Award, which will recognize someone who has taken active steps … Read more
Germaine Blakey was doing what she normally did on a Sunday morning. An active part of her church community, she was sitting in the pews when she began to feel unwell. After turning the decision over in her mind, she decided to head home and asked her friend to meet her there. The next thing … Read more
American Heart Association expands lifesaving efforts through corporate-driven Heart Walk campaign [Richmond, VA, June 20, 2024] — Nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), especially if performed immediately, can double or triple survival rates.[1] That is why the American Heart Association, celebrating 100 years … Read more
Mike Smith to lead American Heart Association Richmond 2024 Hard Hats with Heart Campaign [RICHMOND, VA] June 11, 2024 – Mike Smith, Vice President with HITT Contracting, will work with the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, to improve health outcomes in the construction industry through the Association’s Hard Hats … Read more
American Heart Association annual event raises funds and awareness locally RICHMOND, VA, May 7, 2024 — The 2024 Richmond Heart Ball, presented by Dominion Energy, brought hearts together to save lives and strive for equitable health for everyone living in Central Virginia. With more than $1.3 million raised, funds will support the life-saving work of … Read more
Did you know that children can have strokes? About 1 in 2,000 children will have a pediatric stroke in their lifetime. Nolan, now 13 years old, experienced a stroke in his earliest stages of life. “We didn’t know children could have strokes,” said his mother, Barbara. When Nolan began crawling as a child, his family … Read more
(RICHMOND, VA), (April 15, 2024) – Six local bands joined forces on Saturday, March 23 for the first annual Avery Walls Music Festival at The Park RVA. The festival’s purpose was to honor Avery Walls who, at age 20, passed away from complications brought on by a congenital heart defect. Money raised through generous donations … Read more
Desiree Tunnell named the American Heart Association Go Red for Women’s® Central Virginia Woman of Impact™ Winner (RICHMOND, VA), (Apr. 9, 2024) — Desiree Tunnell, has been named the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Central Virginia 2024 Woman of Impact Winner for her work to raise funds and spread awareness in the fight … Read more
Twenty-one-year-old Tucker Mullen never expected to deal with heart issues at his young age. A member of the University of Virginia lacrosse team, he thought he was in perfect health. During his first semester of his junior year at UVA, he started experiencing chest pressure, shortness of breath and significant discomfort while exercising. His doctors … Read more
Sheryl Garland to chair the American Heart Association’s Richmond’s 2023-24 Go Red for Women® movement Sheryl Garland, Chief of Health Impact for VCU Health, will serve as the executive volunteer chair of the 2023-2024 Richmond Go Red for Women® movement, a comprehensive platform designed more than two decades ago to increase women’s heart health awareness … Read more
Christina Luntzer was stunned when she learned that one in one hundred babies are born with a heart defect. She never imagined that her own child would bring that statistic to life. Before Christina’s daughter, Alyiah, was born, this statistic led Christina to become deeply involved with the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge as … Read more
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, October 19, 2023 — As plans are underway for the 2024 Richmond Heart Ball, Utibe Bassey, Dominion Energy Vice President of Customer Experience, has been named chair of this year’s community-wide campaign. The Heart Ball celebrates progress made through the dedication and passion of all who support the American Heart Association’s Heart of Richmond, a year-round effort aimed at investing in saving and improving lives in Greater Richmond and the Tri-Cities. “Utibe exemplifies true leadership and … Read more
Have you heard about the latest addition to the shelves at the library? The American Heart Association is adding blood pressure monitoring stations and loaner devices to libraries across the Greater Richmond and Tri-Cities centered on equity, placing resources in areas with the highest prevalence of hypertension and barriers to care. And there might be … Read more
American Heart Association’s Leaders of Impact campaign runs today through Nov. 15 RICHMOND, VA – September 29, 2023 – Where someone lives should not dictate how long they live. Five Richmond leaders are joining the American Heart Association’s Leaders of Impact campaign to combat health inequities in RVA. Studies show[1] a near 20-year life expectancy … Read more
RICHMOND, VA – The American Heart Association and Richmond Heart Walk Healthy for Good sponsor, Molina Healthcare, will honor those who have made healthy lifestyle changes at this year’s Richmond Heart Walk on Saturday, October 21 at Innsbrook. Nominations opened on August 1 for the Richmond Lifestyle Change Awards, which will recognize those that have … Read more
The American Heart Association Founders Day June 10 celebrates 99 years of work dedicated to heart disease and stroke June 10 commemorates the anniversary of the founding of the American Heart Association (the Association), the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Leading up to the Association’s June 2024 … Read more