Lowcountry Heart Walk raises more than $1 million to save lives and expand CPR education
March 4, 2026
The American Heart Association campaign equips participants with CPR education while raising funds to support research and local impact initiatives
More than 2,000 people gathered at The Joe (RiverDogs stadium) for the Lowcountry Heart Walk on February 28, raising more than $1 million to fund lifesaving research and enhance CPR readiness.
According to the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, approximately 436,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest each year — most often outside a hospital. Bystander CPR can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival, yet fewer than half receive it, highlighting a critical gap in community preparedness.
This year’s Heart Walk brought together heart disease and stroke survivors, participants from 70 local companies and other community members to learn the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR, celebrate local survivors and support the mission of the Heart Association.
“In a heartbeat, you could be the difference,” said Michael Scarafile, American Heart Association volunteer chair of the Lowcountry Heart Walk and president of Carolina One Real Estate. “By equipping more people with the skills needed to save a life, we’re working toward creating a culture where every home has someone confident and prepared to respond when it matters most. That’s extraordinary.”
This year’s top fundraising companies included MUSC Health, Choate Construction, Carolina One Real Estate, and SeamonWhiteside.
According to the Association’s 2024 CPR Perceptions Survey, 39% of respondents report feeling “extremely confident” or “very confident” when asked about their ability to perform CPR — an increase from 33% in 2021, which equates to approximately 17.7 million more adults who are highly confident in their CPR skills. However, 61% of respondents still do not report high levels of confidence to act during a cardiac emergency, underscoring the critical need for continued CPR training and awareness.
Heart Walk is the Heart Association’s largest community-facing initiative, reaching more than 10 million people nationwide each year. Through fundraising, community education and corporate engagement, Heart Walk aims to enhance CPR training accessibility, bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for cardiovascular research and drive equitable health for all people.
The Lowcountry Heart Walk is locally sponsored by MUSC Health, Blackbaud, Choate Construction, and The InterTech Group. To learn Hands-Only CPR, donate or register for future Heart Walk events, visit www.lowcountryscheartwalk.org.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
