GREENSBORO, N.C., Feb. 20, 2025 - The American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, announces Greg Stump as the 2025 Heart Walk chairperson. Stump, vice president of Budd Group, will lead the charge to build a community of lifesavers in Triad, NC. Under his leadership, top executives throughout the community will unite to recruit companies and organizations to join the Heart Walk, a year-round campaign aimed at raising funds to reduce cardiovascular disease while equipping people with CPR skills and resources to act in a cardiac emergency.
The American Heart Association, which has been saving lives for more than 100 years, is shining a spotlight on CPR education as a critical element of the Heart Walk campaign. According to the Association, nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die[1], yet immediate CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival[2]. Stump and a team of top executive leaders are committed to ensuring that more people in the Triad area are prepared to respond effectively in these life-or-death situations.
"The Heart Walk gives Triad residents and employees an extraordinary opportunity to address a critical issue in our community," said Christine Jolly, executive director of the American Heart Association in the Triad. "Cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, and the difference between life and death often hinges on the quick actions of a bystander. Through the Heart Walk, we are not just raising funds; we are raising awareness, enhancing CPR training, and building a network of lifesavers throughout the Triad. With Greg Stump at the helm, we are confident this year's campaign will have an even greater impact in saving lives," she said.
Stump chose to volunteer with the American Heart Association for both personal and professional reasons. His mother had a significant stroke in 2009 that was initially diagnosed as potentially fatal, but 15 years later, she is still living and living to the fullest. Additionally, the sudden death of his wife's cousin in 2024, due to a major heart attack without warning, deeply impacted him. Professionally, Stump aims to educate his workforce on healthy lifestyle choices and proactive healthcare.
The Heart Walk, active in over 220 cities nationwide, is more than a fundraiser -- it's a movement that drives corporate involvement in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death. This year, companies participating in the Heart Walk will play a crucial role in the American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative, a national effort aimed at doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.
"We envision a future where at least one person in every household knows CPR," said Stump. "The impact of having a trained, confident lifesaver in every home across the Triad cannot be overstated. By joining the American Heart Association's Heart Walk, companies are helping to turn our community from bystanders into lifesavers, ensuring that when a cardiac emergency occurs, there is someone ready to step in to make a difference."
As part of their efforts to help create a culture of health and wellbeing, The Budd Group is locally sponsoring Doctor It's Been Too Long, a three-year initiative helping to address the avoidance or delay of medical appointments for routine care or chronic disease management. The Doctor It's Been Too Long campaign aims to educate people on why they should visit a doctor when they feel well, to stay well.
The American Heart Association is a global leader in resuscitation science, education and training, and the official publisher of CPR guidelines. Through the Nation of Lifesavers initiative, the Association is committed to empowering individuals everywhere to act in the event of a cardiac emergency, making sure that no one is left without the help they need when seconds count.
The year-round Heart Walk campaign will culminate on Saturday, October 4 at Triad Park, 9652 W Market St. Kernersville, NC, where thousands of participants will walk to save lives while raising essential funds to advance lifesaving research, increase CPR education and training and drive equitable health for all people. Companies interested in participating can contact Sonja Berghela, Heart Walk director at [email protected]. For more information about the Triad Heart Walk, visit www.triadheartwalk.org.
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.