More than $1 million raised at NWA Heart Walk

The 2013 Northwest Arkansas Heart Walk strengthened the community by bringing people and sponsors, businesses and families together under one cause: fighting against heart disease and stroke.

More than 10,000 people arrived at Arvest Ballpark early Saturday morning to support friends and family members with heart health problems and to benefit the American Heart Association.

“We’re here to honor those lives we lost and celebrate the survivors,” said Pam Kohn, NWA Heart Walk Chair and president of Walmart Realty. “It’s been a privilege to work with so many individuals. Each brought a story to make this happen and raise awareness of heart disease.”

Lauri Luker, representing the event sponsor Con Agra foods, viewed the event as an even broader one, one that enhances quality of living.

“The number one killers of people in America are heart disease and stroke,” she said. “We’re taking a step to a better life.”

The event rang in $1,062,000 for the American Heart Association, money that will go toward research to improve heart health and to promote healthier lifestyles. All donations and contributions were equally appreciated, but the event is a sort of friendly, local competition between companies for philanthropic involvement. This is illustrated most vividly by the event’s corresponding Bank Day, a time in which participating sponsors announce how much their employees raised for the cause, yielded these results: $277,000 raised by Walmart, $91,000 by Tyson Foods, $17,930 by Pepsico, and $15,024 by Scott’s Miracle Grow.

Heart Walk participants could walk or run as individuals, pairs or teams.

This year’s top 5 teams were Team Mahoney, from Walmart; A Counting the Heartbeats, of Tyson; Team PepsiCo; Rouse’s Bravehearts, of Tyson and Walmart ISD, Team Jason Bearden.

Some teams rallied around a single person, showing their support of their struggle by making team t-shirts, walking together and generally being there for them during their time of sickness.

Olivia Tub, 6, was diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta last summer and had surgeries soon after. Tub is doing well and participated in the heart walk this weekend with about 20 of her closest friends and their families.

Other participants began their Heart Walk participation because of a responsibility to their office.

“This is my second time to come (to the Heart Walk),” said Shelley Summers, of Tyson Foods. “I liked it so much, this time I brought my family.”

Still, some use the walk as a memoriam and surround themselves with people who shared love for a single, strong person.

“We’re here because one of our friends died last year,” said Dora White.

Heart Walk participants were greeted by Donnie Smith, CEO of Tyson Foods Inc., serenaded with the national anthem sung by Miss University of Arkansas Sarah Elise Gafvert, and danced the macarena, which was led by Mercy Health System, to warm up before the 5k.

Honorary Chair of the event and Arkansas Razorback Basketball Coach Mike Anderson led the crowd in a moment of silence and balloon release in memory of Garrett Uekman, Arkansas tight end who died of cardiomyopathy at the age of 19.

Following the event’s walk, fun run and 5k, participants were encouraged to meander through a health expo for complementary items from a variety of vendors with health-centered products and food.

The post-race festivities included plenty of entertainment from the band Another Fine Mess, a step show by Alpha Kappa Alpha and a performance by the Central Dance Team.

Three of the event’s main sponsors had individual tents set up at the expo following the walk and race, Con Agra’s tent was themed “My Heart.” Jenny Craig’s was themed “My Life” and Subway’s was themed “My Community.”

Chairing the NWA Heart Walk and 5k event next year are Matt Kisler of Walmart and Steve Williams of PepsiCo.