2026 Alaska Heart Run & Walk to Boost CPR Education and Funds for Research
TL/DR –
The 2026 Alaska Heart Run & Walk, led by Chief Nursing Officer of Providence Alaska, Carrie Peluso, is aiming to raise funds and extend CPR education, following data from the American Heart Association that states 9 in 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die, often due to lack of bystander CPR. The event is part of the Heart Walk initiative which aims to make CPR education more accessible, fund vital research, and drive equitable health for all. The Heart Association is working to double the survival rate from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by 2030, and the Alaska Heart Run & Walk will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Alaska Airlines Center with over 1,000 participants expected.
Alaska’s 2026 Heart Run & Walk to Boost Cardiac Arrest Survival Rates
Statistics from the American Heart Association indicate that 90% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients do not survive, and over half receive no bystander CPR. Immediate CPR can potentially double or even triple survival rates. To boost these rates in Alaska, Carrie Peluso, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, CENP, FAONL, FCNS, and the chief nursing officer of Providence Alaska, will head the 2026 Alaska Heart Run & Walk.
Heart Walk: Making CPR Education Accessible
Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s primary initiative for community engagement. It promotes CPR education, supports vital research, and drives equitable health through fundraising and corporate involvement. Carrie Peluso is leading Alaska’s top executives to inspire other organizations to participate in the Alaska Heart Run & Walk campaign.
Executive Leadership Team for 2026 Alaska Heart Run & Walk
The executive leadership team for the 2026 Alaska Heart Run & Walk includes representatives from various organizations such as April Park (Alaska Heart & Vascular Institute), Carrie Peluso (Providence Alaska – Chair), and Trevor Mclean (Anchorage Fire Department) amongst others.
CPR Confidence Levels Rising But Still Insufficient
The Heart Association’s 2024 CPR Perceptions Survey reveals that approximately 103 million U.S. adults feel highly confident to perform CPR, a rise from 33% in 2021 to 39%. Despite this, 61% still lack high confidence in handling a cardiac emergency.
Building a Culture of Preparedness in Alaska
Carrie Peluso emphasizes that anyone can experience a cardiac arrest and every moment counts. By joining the Alaska Heart Run & Walk, employers can foster a culture of preparedness, equipping their teams to potentially save lives during a cardiac emergency.
A Global Leader in Resuscitation Science, Education, and Training
The Nation of Lifesavers initiative aims to increase the number of people ready to perform CPR and be a crucial part of the chain of survival, in line with the Association’s goal of doubling out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.
Join the Alaska Heart Run & Walk
The Alaska Heart Run & Walk is set for Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Alaska Airlines Center. Over 1,000 participants will run or walk to celebrate local survivors and commemorate the progress made in saving lives in Alaska. Interested companies can contact Deborah Rinckey, Director of Alaska Heart Run & Walk, at deborah.rinckey@heart.org. Register for the event at AlaskaHeartRun.org.
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