Bank executive takes the helm of American Heart Association’s 2025 Oklahoma City Heart and Stroke Walk

OKLAHOMA CITY, March 3, 2025 – MidFirst Bank Oklahoma Market Executive John Higginbotham will lead the charge as chairman of the American Heart Association’s 2025 OKC Heart & Stroke Walk.

The year-round heart walk campaign will culminate on May 31 at Bicentennial Park, where as many as 2,500 participants will walk to save lives while raising essential funds to advance lifesaving research, increase CPR education and training and drive equitable health for all people.

Under Higginbotham’s leadership, top executives throughout the OKC region are uniting to recruit companies and organizations to join the Heart Walk, a year-round campaign aimed at raising funds to fight cardiovascular disease while equipping people with education, knowledge and resources to act in the face of a cardiac emergency by learning CPR.

The American Heart Association, which celebrated 100 years of lifesaving service in 2024, has put a spotlight on CPR education as a critical element of the Heart Walk campaign. According to the Association, nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die[1] yet immediate CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival[2]. Higginbotham and a team of top executive leaders are committed to ensuring that more people in OKC are prepared to respond effectively in these life-or-death situations.

Heart disease and stroke hit home for Higginbotham, who lost both his parents to heart attacks. He was just 5 when his dad died at age 43, and his mom passed later in life from the disease. Additionally, Higginbotham’s in-laws passed from heart failure and stroke.

While with his previous employer, one of Higginbotham’s managers suffered a massive heart attack at work.

“Despite the efforts of two other employees and company security utilizing a defibrillator, the employee did not make it,” Higginbotham said.

“I had held all three [of the employee’s] daughters in the hospital when they were born, so I was very close to this manager and his family,” he added. “All of these events drive home the impact of heart disease and how it affects so many lives beyond just the victim.”

The OKC Heart and Stroke Walk gives residents and employees an opportunity to address a critical issue in our community, said Mark Fried, executive director of the American Heart Association-OKC.

“Cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, and the difference between life and death often hinges on the quick actions of a bystander,” Fried said. “Through the Heart Walk, we are not just raising funds; we are raising awareness, enhancing CPR training, and building a network of lifesavers throughout OKC. With John at the helm, we are confident this year’s campaign will have an even greater impact on saving lives.”

The Heart Walk, active in over 220 cities nationwide, is more than a fundraiser—it’s a movement that drives corporate involvement in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in OKC. This year, companies participating in the Heart Walk will play a crucial role in the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative, a national effort aimed at doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.

"We envision a future where at least one person in every household knows CPR," said Higginbotham. "The impact of having a trained, confident lifesaver in every home across OKC cannot be overstated. By joining the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, companies are helping to turn our community from bystanders into lifesavers, ensuring that when a cardiac emergency occurs, there is someone ready to step in and make a difference."

The American Heart Association is a global leader in resuscitation science, education, and training, and the official publisher of CPR guidelines. Through the Nation of Lifesavers initiative, the Association is committed to empowering individuals everywhere to act in the event of a cardiac emergency, making sure that no one is left without the help they need when seconds count.

The walk is presented by MidFirst Bank with additional support from Devon. Media support is provided by KFOR and The Gayly.

Companies interested in participating can contact Jennifer Lacy at Jennifer.Lacy@heart.org. For more information about the OKC Heart Walk, visit OKCHeartWalk.org

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries

Cyd King: cyd.king@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org