8News gets visit from American Heart Association ahead of CycleNation 2025

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- 8News received a visit Tuesday from two special guests with the American Heart Association (AHA) to talk about their upcoming CycleNation event.

8News anchors Autumn Childress and Delaney Hall were joined by the AHA's development director Bobby Hall and AHA volunteer Holly Furlong to talk about how CycleNation raises awareness for stroke and heart disease.

"CycleNation is a movement that we've created to empower Americans to improve heart health and brain health and it's a really fun way to get involved with our mission -- raising funds for our community programs' research," Hall said.

The event will take place on Wednesday, May 28, at 301 Maltby Blvd, Suite D in Richmond -- and the riders that participate will form teams of four to ride in a relay event. The fundraising goal is $50,000, which will go towards research and community programs across the nation.

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Furlong also spoke to the importance of events like this and the purpose of the AHA as a whole, as she described her own experience surviving a stroke six months ago. Fortunately, her husband was able to identify her symptoms thanks to AHA training through his work.

"He walked through the questions of face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech -- and we immediately got me to the ER," Furlong said. "And I was fortunate enough to receive the medication within the window to help reduce the after effects, and that's why I'm happy and healthy today."

For more information about CycleNation, and to learn how to register, visit the AHA website.