Chicago's Teen and Women Leaders Are Taking On Heart Disease—Here's Their 9-Week Challenge

Fifteen Chicago women and teen leaders are joining forces with the American Heart Association to tackle cardiovascular disease, the nation's leading health threat. Through spring 2026, eight teens and seven women are competing in the American Heart Association's Teen of Impact and Woman of Impact campaigns—nine-week competitions designed to spread heart health education, raise critical funds, and create meaningful change in their communities.

Why Are Young People at Risk for Heart Disease?

The statistics are sobering: more than 60% of U.S. adults will have cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 2050 according to recent projections. What's particularly alarming is that many adolescents have already developed heart disease risk factors by age 18. A growing number of younger adults are experiencing adverse cardiovascular events—heart attacks, strokes, and other serious conditions—at ages when they should be in their healthiest years.

For women, the picture is equally concerning. Nearly 45% of women over the age of 20 are living with some form of cardiovascular disease, making it the leading cause of death in women, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women. These statistics underscore why the American Heart Association is mobilizing community leaders to act now.

What Are These Changemakers Actually Doing?

The Teen of Impact and Woman of Impact campaigns aren't just about raising awareness—they're structured competitions with real-world activities designed to create a culture of wellness. Each week, nominees and their team members participate in activities that educate their communities and drive measurable change.

These activities include:

• CPR Training: Learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills that could save lives in cardiac emergencies.
• Physical Activity Promotion: Sharing the importance of getting active and recruiting friends and family to join wellness initiatives.
• Research and Advocacy Participation: Recruiting community members to participate in cardiovascular research studies or advocacy efforts that shape health policy.
• Community Education: Spreading knowledge about heart and brain health risks and prevention strategies.

"When we come together, we are stronger than the leading cause of death, cardiovascular disease," said Brittany Walsh, executive director of the American Heart Association, Chicago. "Each of the teens and women participating will use their time, talent and influence to educate the community about their risk, encourage them to take action to improve their health, and raise critical funds to continue the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association".

Who Are Chicago's 2026 Nominees?

The 15 Chicago changemakers represent diverse backgrounds and expertise. The Woman of Impact nominees include healthcare professionals, business leaders, and educators—people with platforms and influence to drive change. The Teen of Impact nominees are high school students from schools across the Chicago area, including Plainfield North High School, Downers Grove North High School, St. Francis High School, Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School, Stevenson High School, Kenwood Academy High School, Prospect High School, and Carl Sandburg High School.

These nominees bring different skill sets to the table. Some are cardiac nurses with direct experience in heart health care. Others are business executives, educators, and entrepreneurs who can leverage their networks and platforms to amplify the message about cardiovascular disease prevention.

How Will Winners Be Determined?

The competition culminates on April 9, 2026, when the nominees who raise the most lifesaving funds will be crowned the Chicago 2026 Woman of Impact Winner and Chicago 2026 Teen of Impact Winner. Beyond local recognition, the woman and teen nominee who raised the most funds nationwide will be named the National Woman of Impact Winner and Teen of Impact Winner.

This competitive structure creates accountability and motivation—it's not just about participation, but about driving tangible results that fund cardiovascular research and education programs. The funds raised support the American Heart Association's mission to advance breakthroughs in science, policy, and care to prevent and treat heart disease and stroke.

The initiative launched nationally on National Wear Red Day on February 6, 2026, with hundreds of nominees across cities competing simultaneously. Chicago's 15 changemakers are part of a larger movement to transform heart health in America—one community, one conversation, one action at a time.