Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health awards $110,000 grant to American Heart Association to educate, train West Virginians in the skill of CPR
April 22, 2024 | PARKERSBURG
Parkersburg, W.Va.(April 22, 2024) — Announced earlier today, the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health will partner with the American Heart Association on a statewide public awareness campaign addressing the importance of knowing how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. The grant totals $110,000.
"Highmark West Virginia has maintained a long-standing partnership with The American Heart Association, and the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health is honored to continue supporting its mission through CPR training and education efforts for West Virginia students through this funding," said Cathy McAlister, executive director of the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health.
"We are proud to once again partner with Highmark West Virginia for this important and, potentially lifesaving, campaign," said Michelle Loehr, executive director (West Virginia/Blue Ridge Virginia) for the American Heart Association. "In a rural state like West Virginia, if a cardiac emergency occurs it could take emergency responders thirty to forty-five minutes to reach the person. The more people who know CPR in these communities, the better the outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest can be. Most cardiac arrests happen outside of the hospital, so the importance for this life-saving skill is immeasurable."
The American Heart Association's mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Using this grant, the Association will develop a year-round multimedia campaign, including television PSAs, radio PSAs, and social media messaging. Hands-Only CPR will be a major focus of the campaign, as it involves two simple steps to save a life – 1. Call 9-1-1 and 2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest. Anyone can learn how to perform Hands-Only CPR and everyone should.
This grant is funded through the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health, which provides critical funding to support West Virginia-based health and social service organizations. Since its launch in 2021, the Charitable Fund for Health has awarded more than $5 million in grant funding for West Virginia-based nonprofit organizations that share Highmark Health’s mission.
About Highmark Foundation
The Highmark Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) private, charitable organization dedicated to improving the health, wellbeing, and quality of life for individuals who reside in the communities served by Highmark, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. We fulfill our missing by awarding high-impact grants to charitable organizations that implement evidence-based programs aimed at improving community health. Central to the Foundation's mission is identifying and continuously reevaluating our region's prevailing health care needs. By doing so, the Foundation remains at the forefront of those needs, well-equipped to pinpoint the issues that more urgently need support.
In 2021, two new restricted funds were established at the Highmark Foundation — the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health and the United Concordia Dental Charitable Fund. These funds support the ongoing work of the Highmark Foundation across its footprint and beyond.
For more information, visit www.highmarkfoundation.org and follow the Highmark Foundation on LinkedIn.
About Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund
The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health, is a controlled fund of the Highmark Foundation. The Charitable Fund for Health‘s mission is to improve the health, well-being and quality of life for individuals who reside in all 55 counties in West Virginia. The Highmark WV Charitable Fund for Health strives to support programs that impact multiple counties and work collaboratively to leverage additional funding to achieve replicable models. For more information, visit www.highmarkfoundation.org.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
Contact:
Bethany Ross
Highmark Health
304-347-7698
Bethany.ross@highmarkhealth.org
Kevin Pauley
Marketing Communications Director
American Heart Association
304-444-6494
kevin.pauley@heart.org