BENTONVILLE, Ark., April 23, 2025 – The 2025 Northwest Arkansas Heart Walk returns Saturday April 26, at a new location – Orchards Park, 1100 N.W. John Deshields Blvd. in Bentonville. Festivities will begin at 7 a.m. and the walk starts at 8 a.m.

The American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all, has enjoyed widespread success with Heart Walk for more than 30 years and was most recently held at Unilever’s Rogers office. The walk is the Association’s premiere event for raising funds to combat heart disease and stroke, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers of Americans, respectively.

The location change is meant to give the walk more visibility and bolster success as the Association enters its second century of building healthier communities in Northwest Arkansas. The walk is led by co-chairpersons Kaitlyn Shadiow of Walmart and Josh Rupe of Post.

“Since its founding in 1924, the American Heart Association has successfully reduced deaths from cardiovascular diseases by 50%. However, the mission to save lives continues, as many still need help,” said Debbie Alsup, executive director of the American Heart Association-Northwest Arkansas. “By driving breakthroughs in science, policy and care, together, ​we can continue to advance health and transform lives every day.​”

A VIP breakfast will be at 6:30 a.m. at the Orchards Park Pavillion for sponsors individual walkers who raise $1,000 or more. Pre- and post-walk activities will include a sponsor booths, kids’ zone, a photo booth, hydration stations, a dog park and more.

Heart and stroke survivors are the focus of every heart walk. One of those, Jonathan Anderson of Bella Vista, turned the table on heart disease following quadruple bypass surgery in 2019.

Anderson had begun feeling weak during everyday activities like climbing stairs and exercising. Initially, he thought his symptoms were due to anxiety. Several family members had suffered heart attacks at ages 42-60, but Anderson felt he would not be affected since they had been heavy smokers.

At his wife's urging, he scheduled a catheterization test. But he would need that test sooner than anticipated.

“While on a date with her the weekend before, I started to experience chest pain and she rushed me to the emergency room,” recalled Anderson.

Doctors discovered he had thirteen blockages in his heart, leading to immediate quadruple bypass surgery. The blockages were caused by undiagnosed diabetes. As part of his recovery, he adopted a healthier lifestyle and now walks about six miles a day.

“I feel like I have been given a second chance,” said Anderson, a longtime teacher at Bright Field Middle School in Bentonville. “I watch for stress and learned to seek medical attention when there are signs of heart issues.” His wife, Tonya Anderson-Holcomb, is a registered nurse in cardiology services at Mercy Hospital-NWA and a Heart Walk team captain.

“The support he received and continues to receive from his students and staff is amazing,” she said.

Lauren Wheeler, development director for Heart Walk, is the perfect place to honor change-makers like Anderson.

“The Heart Walk is more than just a walk – it’s a celebration of heart health and a chance to make a real difference,” said Wheeler.

Participants can register online at NWAHeartWalk.org and are encouraged raise funds to support the American Heart Association's mission. Whether walking in honor of a loved one, as a survivor or simply to support heart health, every step makes a difference.

The walk is sponsored by Purina, Bark Bowls and Post with media support from 5NEWS, Citiscapes and the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal/Talk Business and Politics.

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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 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