American Heart Association Names HCS Top Lifesaving District In State, #9 In Nation

On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, the American Heart Association (AHA) announced that Horry County was the #1 lifesaving district in South Carolina and the #9 lifesaving district nationally.

In the past year, 34 elementary and middle schools in Horry County participated in programs aimed to educate students and their families about heart-related health topics such as how to identify a stroke, the dangers of vaping, how to give CPR, and the importance of both mental and physical well-being. AHA reported that over 28,500 Horry County families received heart-healthy information that can help create lifelong healthy habits. This year, 128 families in Horry County indicated that their child or sibling(s) have been personally impacted by heart disease or stroke, according to the AHA.

Of the participating Horry County schools, several schools earned a special mention: Forestbrook Elementary was the #1 school in the state of South Carolina, Ocean Drive Elementary was #2 in the state, and Carolina Forest Elementary was #4 in the state. Ten Oaks Middle was the top middle school in Horry County.

Participating schools receive a contribution based on the total amount of money they raised for the AHA over the year. This year, schools in Horry County earned a combined total of $36,700 that can be used to purchase PE or playground equipment. Burgess Elementary also won a national grant through the AHA for $2,438, which will fund a water-filling station.