In the United States, more than 350,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital every year, and 90% of them are fatal.[1] In an effort to save more lives, Laura Merrick, winner of the American Heart Association's 2025 national Leaders of Impact™ campaign and Chicago health information leader, dedicated her campaign to preventing cardiac arrest deaths after her mom was one of the lucky 10% to survive.
"My mother survived cardiac arrest because a bystander knew CPR," said Merrick. "I kept asking myself: What can we do to make sure more families get that same chance to keep someone they love? That question — that urgency — is what drew me in."
More than 300 local nominees and 1,200 Impact Team members in 72 communities stepped up to meet the moment and lead meaningful change in the fight against heart disease and stroke. Through Leaders of Impact, an American Heart Association volunteer leadership initiative, these passionate, competitive and influential leaders committed to driving significant change in communities nationwide. During the seven-week competition, committed volunteers educated their local communities and advocated for heart health while raising critical lifesaving funds to support the Heart Association's groundbreaking scientific research, increased CPR education and equitable access to health care for everyone everywhere. Merrick became the 2025 National Leaders of Impact Winner by raising more than $380,000 for the Heart Association's mission.
Merrick focused her campaign on raising awareness of the silent killer, high blood pressure. Through her efforts, blood pressure hubs will be placed in 18 community-based organizations throughout Chicagoland. With these hubs, community members will have access to a free blood pressure monitor, Heart Association guided materials on how to properly self-measure blood pressure, an explanation of what their blood pressure numbers mean and a local contact list of medical providers for anyone who needs follow-up. The hubs will be implemented through Embracing Community Care, a local initiative through the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, designed to provide funding to organizations to buy equipment and resources to improve community health.
In addition to the blood pressure hub program, a self-measurement blood pressure kiosk will also be placed in Chicago. This automated kiosk can help teach community members about the importance of checking blood pressure, changing habits and controlling hypertension.
Merrick's campaign is also making it possible for 18 community-based organizations throughout Chicago to implement Cardiac Emergency Response Plans. These plans include providing CPR and AED training for staff, volunteers and community members identified to serve on Cardiac Emergency Response Teams. In the fight against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States,[2] the Heart Association educates millions in CPR, equipping everyday people with the skills to save lives.
"I want to continue strengthening readiness, especially in communities historically left behind," said Merrick. "That means advancing CPR and AED access, improving hypertension awareness, expanding blood-pressure monitoring, and helping schools and organizations build Cardiac Emergency Response Plans. My goal is to make lifesaving preparedness a standard — not an exception — across Chicago. When we train more people, equip more places and empower more communities, we save lives long before an emergency becomes a tragedy."
The Leaders of Impact competition launched on Sept. 18 in hundreds of cities across the nation and culminated on Nov. 5. Each local nominee's participation was focused on identifying opportunities to be a changemaker with a shared purpose, raise critical awareness and funds to support the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association.
"The Leaders of Impact campaign involves incredible changemakers, like Laura, who are tirelessly supporting heart health," said Lee A. Shapiro, J.D., volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association and managing partner and co-founder at 7wireVentures, an investment firm headquartered in Chicago. "Laura and her fellow nominees have made a significant impact in their communities, spearheading the efforts that will result in better heart and brain health."
