State’s top Kids Heart Challenge participant Grant Greene to be honored at June 2 Northwest Arkansas Naturals game
SPRINGDALE, Ark., May 7, 2026 — Arkansas’ top Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser, Grant Greene, will be honored with the ceremonial first pitch at the Northwest Arkansas Naturals game on Tuesday, June 2, at Arvest Ballpark, celebrating his leadership and impact supporting the American Heart Association’s work to build healthier futures for children.
Grant earned top fundraiser honors statewide through Kids Heart Challenge, the Association’s long‑running in‑school program that teaches students heart‑healthy habits, kindness and lifesaving skills while raising funds to support cardiovascular research and community programs. He alone raised more than $7,000.
Grant was born in 2018 with a life‑threatening congenital heart defect his family didn’t know about until moments after his birth. Doctors quickly discovered he had transposition of the great vessels, a condition in which the heart’s major arteries are switched, preventing oxygen‑rich blood from reaching the body. Within hours, Grant was airlifted from Northwest Arkansas to Little Rock, where he underwent emergency procedures and open‑heart surgery just days into his life.
“Everything happened so fast,” said Grant’s father, Charlie Greene. “We went from holding him in the delivery room to being on a helicopter, not knowing what the next few hours were going to look like.” After an initial procedure to stabilize Grant, surgeons performed the complex operation to correct the vessels. Charlie recalls the surgeon explaining it simply. He was “like a mechanic who just switched a couple things,” Greene said. “Once he was done, we knew Grant was going to be OK.”
As Grant recovered, his older sister Addison found her own way to help. Before Grant even started school, Addison began raising money for the American Heart Association through Kids Heart Challenge in honor of her baby brother. In 2024, she became the top Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser in the entire state, transforming her love for Grant into lifesaving support for other children and families facing heart disease.
Today, Grant is a thriving, energetic kid, something his family never takes for granted. “Our story could have been very different,” Greene said. “We don’t take a moment for granted, and being able to pay it forward means everything to us.” Together, Grant and Addison’s journey continues to inspire others, proving that even the youngest hearts can lead powerful change.
“Grant embodies what Kids Heart Challenge is all about,” said Tracy Shepherd, school engagement director for the American Heart Association in Arkansas. “Through his passion and commitment, he’s helped empower students to take care of their own hearts while making a real difference for others. Honoring him alongside these students is a powerful reminder that leadership can start at any age.”
Kids Heart Challenge, one of the American Heart Association’s largest youth initiatives, reaches millions of students nationwide each year, teaching physical activity, emotional well‑being and skills such as Hands‑Only CPR. Funds raised support scientific research and programs that improve heart health outcomes for children and families.
“Supporting programs that strengthen the health and well‑being of young people in our community is an important part of who we are,” said Justin Cole, vice president and general manager of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. “We’re proud to recognize Grant and other Kids Heart Challenge students for the impact they’re making and honored to celebrate them at Arvest Ballpark.”
Gates open at 6 p.m. Fans can stop by the American Heart Association table on the concourse behind home plate to receive free Hands‑Only CPR training. The first few families to complete the training will receive an Anytime CPR kit to take home, which provides everything needed to learn basic lifesaving skills in about 20 minutes.
All families of Kids Heart Challenge participants will be recognized on the field during a pre-game ceremony, then Greene will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
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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 students leading source of health information for more than 100 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 or X 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
