AUSTIN, Sept. 6, 2024 - The American Heart Association, the world's leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all, is inviting walkers to participate in the Austin Heart and Stroke Walk. The Heart and Stroke Walk is the Association's premiere walking and fund-raising event and takes place in over 1,000 cities every year.
This year's Austin Heart and Stroke Walk, slated for Sunday, Oct. 27 at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park, focuses on preventing heart disease and stroke by raising money to support heart research and heart healthy lifestyle programming. Funds also go toward CPR and AED education and awareness through the Association's Nation of Lifesavers initiative.
There is no cost to participate in the family-friendly event, but pre-registration is encouraged. Festivities begin at 8 a.m. and the walk starts at 9:15 a.m. Organizers hope to raise about $900,000.
The walk is also a chance to celebrate and honor individuals who have survived a heart attack, cardiac arrest, heart surgery or a stroke.
One local survivor, 14-year-old Beckett Moore, hopes to educate the Austin community in the importance of CPR and AED training.
Earlier this summer, Beckett was eager to make friends heading into high school and playing football at St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School. Just two weeks into training camp, his world turned upside down.
On June 14, Beckett was running laps when he collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest. Luckily, Jaime Perez, a contract medical trainer, was on site that day. Perez, hired just one week before, performed CPR on Beckett. The school principal stepped in to help just before EMS arrived and took over.
The EMS team continued CPR and tried to revive Beckett with an AED, but his heart wouldn't restart. It wasn't until the third shock and an injection of medicine that he was resuscitated. Beckett was out for a total of 25-28 minutes. Once he got to a local hospital, Beckett was stabilized, put on a ventilator and sedated. Thirty minutes later Beckett was rushed to another hospital to have tests run on his heart and brain. Results showed no major brain damage, largely in part due to the swift action of Perez.
Beckett was released from the hospital nine days later with a defibrillator that he will need for the rest of his life. Although the cause of his sudden cardiac arrest may never be known, Beckett and his family are certain that CPR combined with an AED saved his life.
Go to AustinHeartWalk.org to sign up for the walk or to make a donation.
The Austin Heart and Stroke Walk is presented by Texas Mutual and Centre for Neuro Skills. Media support is by KXAN.
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For 100 years, the American Heart Association has saved and improved lives, pioneered scientific discovery and advocated for healthy public policies in communities across the country. These bold moves are fueled by our mission to be a relentless force for longer, healthier lives. They have helped transform our nation's health and significantly reduce heart disease and stroke death rates. But these gains have not been shared equitably. Black, Hispanic, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Asian American, Pacific Islander and LGBTQ+ people have suffered and died disproportionately. So have people in historically underrepresented communities all over the country. With Bold Hearts™ and powered by science, we pledge to work relentlessly to eliminate heart disease and stroke, optimize brain health and ensure equitable health in every community.
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public's health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.