February is American Heart Month and a reminder not to skip a beat when it comes to taking care of your ticker. Did you know that according to the American Heart Association, fewer than 10% of cardiac arrest victims survive? Also, less than 10% of the U.S. population is trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), which can more than double the chance of survival.

The importance of heart health awareness and funding is why the American Heart Association will be the beneficiary of Strack & Van Til’s first Checkout Challenge Round Up of the year. From Feb. 5-18, customers across the Region can choose to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar when shopping at their local Strack & Van Til store. Those extra funds will be donated to the American Heart Association.

American Heart Association Regional Vice President Diane Kemp says the organization turns 100 in 2024 and will be celebrating this amazing milestone all year long.

Kemp emphasizes that awareness is critical. “Everyone needs to know that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, with nearly 45% of women older than 20 living with some form of cardiovascular disease,” she notes. “Further, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of new moms as the leading cause of maternal mortality. Women are less likely than men to receive bystander CPR and are less likely to survive an out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest. Only 38% of cardiovascular clinical research trial participants were women as of 2020.”

“Know Your Numbers” is the Heart Association’s plea that everyone learns their key personal health numbers, including total cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index, that help determine risk for heart disease.

Many advancements have been made possible with American Heart Association funding, including stents, angioplasty, pacemakers, bypass surgery, heart-valve replacements and implantable defibrillators.

Kemp says she’s grateful for the partnership with Strack & Van Til.

“The American Heart Association is immensely blessed by the Strack & Van Til Checkout Challenge Round Up in support of Heart Month. It is an incredible opportunity for the Region to support the mission one dime at a time,” she says. “Each year, the community support allows us to advance programs like life-saving CPR training, CPR Bystander Awareness campaigns and Go Red for Women, a program elevating awareness of heart disease in women and how their signs and symptoms may be different.”

Strack & Van Til continues its more than 94-year tradition of philanthropy by raising funds through the Checkout Challenge Round Up program to help organizations in the communities it serves throughout Northwest Indiana.

President and CEO Jeff Strack credits the success of the Checkout Challenge Round Ups to Strack & Van Til customer generosity and the commitment of Strack & Van Til employees.

“We are incredibly grateful to our customers. They are the ones who give back to the community. Our stores, with the help of our employees, simply provide our customers with an outlet to give to some of their favorite local organizations,” he explains.

See how giving a bit from the heart can help others’ keep beating by taking part in Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up Feb. 5-18 in support of the American Heart Association.