Corey Bentley, a local volunteer with the American Heart Association (AHA) and marketing professional from the San Francisco Bay Area, has been awarded the national Leaders of Impact™ award for 2024. This recognition comes after more than 300 local leaders from 60 communities participated in the AHA's initiative to improve heart health while raising funds to support the organization's life-saving mission.
The Leaders of Impact campaign not only focuses on critical fundraising but also aims to promote health equity in local communities. Issues such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, tobacco use, lack of bystander CPR, access to healthy food, and disparities in life expectancy significantly affect health outcomes.
Bentley was honored for raising the highest amount of funds and making a substantial community impact across the nation. He became involved in the initiative after witnessing family members suffer from heart disease, leading him to educate others on CPR and heart health.
His campaign achieved notable success through strategic outreach, leveraging social media to engage friends and family, while also garnering support from colleagues at his workplace. Bentley's mother, a fitness coach, inspired him to prioritize heart health and create lasting impact through education and awareness.
The annual Leaders of Impact campaign launched on October 17, 2024, and concluded on December 4, 2024. Participants were nominated by a national network of volunteer peers and took action to improve lives while raising funds for the AHA's mission.
The AHA has been a leading source of health information for over a century, dedicated to extending life and health for all. With over 35 million volunteers globally, the organization funds pioneering research, advocates for public health, and provides essential resources to combat cardiovascular diseases and strokes.