Yvonne English Roebuck, EdD, is a two-time sudden cardiac arrest survivor who will share her experience at the 2026 Pittsburgh Heart Walk. Her first cardiac arrest occurred in 2015 at a social event. A nurse at the gathering provided immediate CPR, and first responders used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to deliver three shocks that restored her heartbeat.
Eight years later Roebuck experienced a second sudden cardiac arrest. On that occasion her implanted device delivered the lifesaving therapy: an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) administered a shock and restarted her heart to a normal rhythm. The contrast between the two episodes illustrates multiple layers of emergency response that can contribute to survival.
Roebuck’s story underscores the critical role of immediate bystander CPR and public access to AEDs. In her first arrest, the nurse’s prompt action and subsequent defibrillation by first responders were decisive in restoring circulation. The account highlights how trained or willing bystanders and nearby defibrillators can change the outcome of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
After her first arrest, Roebuck was initially hesitant to receive an ICD. Following her second arrest, the device delivered a shock that restored her heart rhythm. The source reports that she had reservations about the ICD at first but that the device ultimately provided lifesaving therapy when needed.
The American Heart Association statistic cited in the source states that nearly 90% of people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not survive. The AHA also notes that immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. These figures are presented in the article to contextualize Roebuck’s experience and the broader public health importance of rapid response.
Roebuck will speak at the 2026 Pittsburgh Heart Walk on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Point State Park. The Heart Walk brings together survivors, families and community members to raise awareness about cardiovascular health and to promote lifesaving skills such as Hands-Only CPR. The article provides a registration resource: www.Heart.org/PittsburghWalk, where attendees can also learn Hands-Only CPR.
According to the source, the Pittsburgh Heart Walk supports the American Heart Association’s mission through fundraising, community education and corporate engagement. Funds and awareness from the event help expand access to CPR education, fund lifesaving research and advance broader efforts to improve cardiovascular health and survival from cardiac emergencies.
Roebuck is quoted in the article: “Above all, I’m grateful,” reflecting her appreciation for the people and systems that saved her life. She credited the American Heart Association for providing education and support during her journey and emphasized that her survival was made possible because people knew what to do and took action.
The article includes background about the American Heart Association, describing it as a long-standing organization dedicated to advancing cardiovascular health, ensuring equitable health in communities, funding research and providing public education. The AHA is identified as a resource for training, information and support for survivors and the public.
The Heart Walk event details listed in the source are: the Pittsburgh Heart Walk on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Point State Park, and registration at www.Heart.org/PittsburghWalk. For media inquiries the source provided a contact: Karen Colbert with a phone number and email address as published. The article also references downloadable images and a headshot of Yvonne Roebuck provided courtesy of the survivor.
Notes on sources and scope
All content in this summary is drawn directly from the cited American Heart Association news release. No additional clinical recommendations, patient-management guidance or statistics beyond those reported in the source have been added or inferred.