The American Heart Association has long served as a lifeline in Sacramento, rallying the region’s people, businesses and schools in a relentless fight against heart disease and stroke. With the guiding belief that “a world of longer, healthier lives” isn’t just an ideal, it’s a daily mission, their work pulses through the Capital Region in ways that resonate far beyond hospital walls. Collaborations with local organizations have made them a familiar face on campuses, in clinics and even food pantries, taking on issues from nutrition insecurity to cardiac emergency readiness.
The impact is tangible and often downright inspiring: this year, thousands united at Sacramento’s Heart & Stroke Walk, raising nearly $900,000 to further the association’s cause. Volunteers trained more than 25,000 residents in CPR skills through the Nation of Lifesavers program, an effort that aims to double cardiac arrest survival rates. Across seven counties, 81 schools are now equipped for emergencies and over 100,000 students and educators get direct access to the Kids Heart Challenge health resources. These aren’t just numbers — each one represents a story, a family safeguarded or a life saved.
Their focus on equity keeps their work close to the heart of Sacramento, whether helping new mothers in underserved communities monitor their health or ensuring the region’s food-insecure residents have access to fresh produce. Through every initiative, from maternal wellness programs for refugee families to tobacco policy advocacy, they make sure the region’s most vulnerable aren’t left behind.
But the importance goes deeper than any statistic. It’s about making sure neighbors, loved ones and even strangers have the knowledge and confidence to step in when seconds matter. Every CPR-trained resident, every healthy meal delivered, every minute spent sharing life-saving tips proves that a small action can have a very large impact. For anyone ready to join a movement that’s equal parts science and heart, the American Heart Association offers a place to volunteer, advocate and connect, bringing hope and resilience to every corner of Sacramento.
