NWA Heart Walk raises $1.1 million for cardiovascular disease prevention, treatment
by April 10, 2017 2:49 pm 291 views
More than 12,000 attended the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Northwest Arkansas Heart Walk on Saturday (April 8) at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers, according to the AHA. The event raised about $1.1 million for research and programs that promote better prevention and treatment for heart disease and stroke.
The AHA fell short of its $1.4 million goal, but fundraising for the effort will continue online through June 30, the AHA said.
The free, public event was chaired by Mike Moore of Wal-Mart Stores, Steve Llewellyn of PepsiCo and Celia Swanson, retired Walmart executive. Subway was the main sponsor nationally for the walk. Northwest Health served as the primary local sponsor. Heart Walk was also sponsored by PepsiCo, Walmart, Tyson Foods, Nestle and Newell.
In addition to promoting physical activity through the walk, the event featured interactive health booths, group fitness sessions, CPR training and several kid-friendly activities, according to AHA.
More than a million people in 340 cities across the country participated in Heart Walk nationwide.
In 2016, 14,000 people attended the event, and the walk raised more than $1 million, according to AHA.
The 2017 Central Arkansas Heart Walk is set for April 29.