ATLANTA — Every 34 seconds, someone in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association.
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This weekend, thousands of people are expected to participate in the Atlanta Heart Walk to raise awareness about heart disease and the importance of CPR training.
For Bobby Hunt, the event’s mission is personal.
Hunt says his life was saved during a 2025 meeting at Atlanta Gas Light when coworkers recognized he was suffering a second heart attack and immediately stepped in to help.
“That episode changed my life,” Hunt said.
Many of the employees in the room had been trained in CPR. Doctors told Hunt their quick response played a critical role in helping him survive and return home to his wife and two children.
“I continuously see them. I’m thanking them, but I understand there’s not enough gratitude,” Hunt said.
Katie Schijffelen, executive director of the American Heart Association Atlanta, said creating more lifesavers through CPR and AED training is a major focus of the organization.
“We want to create a nation of lifesavers so that people feel comfortable to step in and intervene,” Schijffelen said.
She said most cardiac arrests happen away from hospitals, making bystander intervention critical.
“Nine out of 10 cardiac arrests happen outside of a hospital, meaning you’re going to be at work, out at the park,” Schijffelen said.
Atlanta Gas Light CEO Walt Farrell, who is serving as chair of this year’s Heart Walk, said the organization’s work aligns with the company’s commitment to serving communities.
“To be able to be a part of an organization that is focused on taking care of our citizens, it’s exactly what we do every day,” Farrell said.
Today, Hunt lives with congestive heart failure and volunteers with the American Heart Association, teaching others about CPR and the warning signs of heart disease.
“If we think about the next person, the person to the left and the right of them, and think about how we can be there for them, CPR is a great way to do that,” Hunt said.
The American Heart Association Atlanta Heart Walk is scheduled for Saturday at 7:45 a.m.
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