Chicago's Department of Public Health is inviting residents to Soldier Field this Friday, September 18, for the American Heart Association's Metro Chicago Heart Walk, a fundraising event offering 1-mile and 3-mile routes that begins at 11:30 a.m. from the stadium's South Parking Lot at 459 East 18th Street. The walk is part of the American Heart Association's efforts to support CPR training, research and lifesaving work.
According to CDPH | Chicago Department of Public Health
The American Heart Association describes the walk as bringing communities together to create health and hope for every heartbeat. The event supports CPR training, research and lifesaving efforts, per the
American Heart Association
The CDPH post provided event logistics.
Fundraising at This Year's Event
This year's event is a fundraising walk.
The event's fundraising supports CPR training and cardiac research.
Why Household CPR Training Is the Focus
National surveillance data shows that roughly 71% of adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in private residences, while public places account for just 12% to 15%, according to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. The figures indicate that most adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in private residences.
The stakes of that reality are steep. American Heart Association guidelines note that 9 out of 10 people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest die, though bystander CPR improves a victim's chance of survival, the organization says. The American Heart Association also reports that bystander CPR is associated with improved survival.
A Local Health Crisis With Uneven Impact
The push for broader CPR literacy is unfolding against a national backdrop of heart disease. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. The local health picture also includes disparities, as city agencies target the hardest-hit neighborhoods.
City agencies have already taken steps to target the disparity in the hardest-hit neighborhoods. CDPH and the Chicago Park District partnered in early 2025 to offer free cardiovascular screenings in Priority Community Areas including West Garfield Park, Englewood, and North Lawndale, where average life expectancy ranges from just 63 to 66 years compared to 88 years in the Loop, as reported by Austin Weekly News. Friday's walk is a fundraising event.
