General News
Cape Fear Valley Health will host its annual Heartfelt Banquet on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m. at the Graduate Medical Education (GME) Building on the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center campus. The event celebrates survivors of cardiac arrest and acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) and reunites them with the care teams who played a role in their lifesaving treatment.
More than 300 survivors, family members and health care professionals are expected to attend. The banquet brings together first responders and medical teams from across the continuum of care, including 911 dispatchers, EMS, fire and police personnel, emergency department physicians and staff, cardiac catheterization lab teams, cardiologists, intensive care unit physicians and staff, and cardiothoracic surgery providers.
The event offers survivors and their families an opportunity to connect with the people involved in their care, often helping fill in gaps in memory that can occur during a medical emergency. It also allows care team members to see the lasting impact of their work.
“Events like the Heartfelt Banquet remind us why rapid recognition and immediate action are so critical in cardiac emergencies,” said Michelle Keasling Jankite, corporate director of cardiac services at Cape Fear Valley Health. “Bringing survivors together with the teams who cared for them highlights the power of teamwork and reinforces our commitment to educating the community about how they can help save lives.”
The Heartfelt Banquet also supports Cape Fear Valley Health’s community outreach efforts, including Early Heart Attack Care education and Hands-Only CPR training. Through these programs, staff teach community members how to recognize the signs of a heart attack, call 911 quickly and begin chest compressions until first responders arrive.
Research shows survival rates from cardiac arrest improve significantly in communities where bystanders are prepared to act. Each year, more than 300,000 people in the United States experience cardiac arrest, and more than 800,000 have a heart attack. While heart attack rates have declined over time, heart disease remains the leading cause of death nationwide.
Many survivors who attend the banquet describe the event as deeply meaningful, often sharing sentiments such as celebrating two birthdays each year — the day they were born and the day they survived their cardiac emergency.
Cape Fear Valley Health leaders say the event serves as both a celebration and a reminder of the importance of community awareness and preparedness.
