About Run With Heart

We endeavor to inspire the public to have the confidence to step in and provide aid in a critical situation.  We believe in the power of bystanders saving lives and we envision creating safer communities by breaking down accessibility and financial barriers to CPR education.  It is our hope that spreading CPR and AED awareness will help to preserve the quality of life for cardiac arrest survivors, granting them the chance to spend another day with their families.

The Run With Heart Foundation is more than just a nonprofit – its’ a movement inspired by real-life heroes and life-saving miracles.

On New Year’s Eve 2022, while shopping with her baby, Victoria (Vicki) Williams experienced sudden cardiac arrest in a Target store. By the grace of God, two nurses – Alexi Reddick (Krajnikovich), from Butler Hospital, and Lauren Bradigan, from Armstrong County Memorial Hospital – were nearby. They quickly stepped in and provided high – quality CPR until EMS arrived and used a defibrillator to shock Vicki’s heart back into rhythm. She was rushed to Butler Hospital and later received a pacemaker/defibrillator.

Just months later, on July 16 2023, nurses Tabitha Bowser and Laura Overly, also from Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, were running the Presque Isle Half Marathon when a fellow runner, Greg Woodman, collapsed from cardiac arrest. Without hesitation, Tabitha, Laura, and other bystanders administered CPR for six crucial minutes until EMS arrived. Greg survived, receiving two cardiac stents at UPMC Hamot – and suffered no neurological damage thanks to their swift action. 

These moments changed lives – and started a movement. 

  • Founded in February 2024, the Run With Heart Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing free CPR and AED training to the public.
  • We focus on rural communities like Armstrong County, where longer EMS response times make bystander intervention absolutely critical. Studies have shown that immediate CPR can double—or even triple—a cardiac arrest victim's chances of survival.
  • Our largest annual fundraiser, the Run For Your Life 5K, takes place in the fall at the Richard G. Snyder YMCA in Kittanning, PA. All proceeds directly support our mission to provide free, life-saving education to the public. When you run with us, you’re running for someone’s life!
  • We believe every person trained in CPR and AED use becomes a link in the chain of survival. One heartbeat at a time, we’re working toward a safer, stronger, more prepared community.