PITTSBURGH, PA--The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation will be participating in the Walk for a Healthy Community on Saturday, May 16th in Pittsburgh. The national nonprofit organization, based in Pittsburgh, has participated in the walk since 2011.
The 5K walk is an initiative spearheaded by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to help nonprofit organizations raise funds to support their causes. Highmark underwrites all the expenses associated with the walk so that every dollar raised for a nonprofit goes directly to that organization.
“We are honored to be participating in this year’s Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community,” said Mary Newman, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation president. “It’s a great way to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest—the nation’s leading cause of death. The Walk also provides a wonderful venue for SCA survivors and families to meet one another and find mutual support.”
Sudden cardiac arrest affects nearly 1,000 people every day in the U.S. and on average only 10 percent of victims survive. Survival rates increase dramatically to 40 percent when victims receive immediate CPR and treatment with automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation aims to raise at least $5,000 through the Walk. These funds will be used to increase awareness about the public health crisis of sudden cardiac arrest and the simple things anyone can do to help save a life. The Foundation will award an AED to the individual or team raising the most through the Walk ($1,000 minimum) at this year's event.
The public is invited to join the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation team here. CPR-AED demonstrations will be provided at the Foundation's booth by local partner training organization, Start-the-Heart. The public is encouraged to stop by and learn how to save a life.
Questions? Contact info [at] sca-aware.org.