As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, cardiovascular health and treatment is a crucial component of the care I provide to my patients. As a member of the Portland ACT team, this year's walk is even more meaningful to me as the team lost a beloved colleague to a heart attack. As an aunt, I walk for my nephew, Oliver, who had heart surgery at 6 months old to address a congential heart condition. 

 

9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital die. In most of those cases, bystander CPR was not performed. But we can change this.

 

Cardiac arrests happen at work, in homes, on athletic fields and in neighborhoods everywhere, and the readiness of our community can be the difference between life and death.

 

It's time to unite, take action, and save lives. Every dollar donated, means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone. Together, we can turn bystanders into lifesavers.

 

I Walk to Save Lives. Help me reach my goal today.​