Atlanta executive leader steps up to save lives, improve heart health

Under Pitcher's leadership, top executives throughout the metro area will unite to recruit companies and organizations to join the Heart Walk, a year-round campaign aimed at raising funds to reduce cardiovascular disease while equipping people with education, knowledge and resources to act in the face of a cardiac emergency by learning CPR. In addition to her leadership of the Heart Walk, Pitcher is an active member of the American Heart Association's Atlanta Board of Directors, embodying her deep commitment to promoting heart health and making a meaningful impact in the community.

The American Heart Association, which has been saving lives for more than 100 years, spotlights 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 die¹ yet immediate CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival². Pitcher and a team of top executive leaders are committed to ensuring that more people in Atlanta are prepared to respond effectively in these life-or-death situations.

"The Heart Walk gives Atlanta residents and employees an extraordinary opportunity to address a critical issue in our community" said Carla Smith, region senior vice president and executive director of the American Heart Association in Metro Atlanta. 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 Atlanta. With Tracy Pitcher at the helm, we are confident this year's campaign will have an even greater impact in saving lives than before."

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 Atlanta. 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.

"The American Heart Association encourages every household to have at least one person trained in CPR," said Pitcher. "The impact of having a trained, confident lifesaver in every home across Atlanta cannot be overstated. Businesses, like Comcast, are helping to transform our community from passive bystanders into empowered lifesavers by donating to and participating in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk. This initiative ensures that when a cardiac emergency occurs, there will always be someone prepared to intervene and make a life-saving 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.

The year-round Heart Walk campaign will culminate on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Atlantic Station, 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 [email protected]. For more information about the Atlanta Heart Walk, visit MetroAtlantaHeartWalk.org.

About the American Heart Association  

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173
Erin Thomas; (404) 971-4715; [email protected]
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

SOURCE Comcast