New York NY James Pirot, managing principal, project management, CRESA New York, has been slated to serve as 2018 chairperson for the “Hard Hats with Heart” gala to benefit the American Heart Association – American Stroke Association (AHA), Tuesday, February 6, 2018, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Ascent Lodge in Time Warner Center, at 10 Columbus Circle. It is the first “Hard Hats with Heart” event being sponsored by construction, engineering, architecture and real estate firms, specifically in the tri-state area.

The goal of the event is to raise funds to train 90,000 individuals in hands-only CPR by 2021. The 2018 honoree will be Michael Gerazounis, P.E., president/managing principal, MC Engineering D.P.C.

“Cresa has represented AHA as its real estate consultant for more than a decade and to be asked to spearhead this auspicious event is an honor,” points out Mr. Pirot. “We know that each year, approximately 350,000 Americans suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, with less than 12 percent surviving. It has especially had a significant impact on our industry and I am committed to change those statistics for the better!”

It is estimated that chances of survival for a cardiac arrest victim decreases 10 percent for every minute without CPR. It has also been shown that bystander CPR may double and even triple a victim’s chance of survival, long before emergency medical attention is available.

Construction workers represent a higher risk category for heart attack and stroke. As a result, “Hard Hats with Heart” is anticipated to resonate across the various disciplines in the building trades community. In addition, to CPR training, funds raised will be used to support research, education and community outreach programs in the Tri-State area AHA chapters.

More information about the program, event and sponsorship are available at http://tristatehardhats.heart.org or by contacting [email protected].