Dallas, November 4, 2024 — The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, united over 40,000 people for the 2024 Dallas and Fort Worth Heart Walks this fall, raising lifesaving funds and strengthening community partnerships. This year’s theme, “I Walk to Save Lives,” underscored the importance of living a physically active, tobacco-free, and healthy lifestyle. 

On the eve of this year’s Heart Walks in North Texas, hundreds of drones took to the sky over downtown Dallas for a spectacular kickoff event. This invite-only gathering brought together key volunteers and mission supporters, featuring live music and local food trucks. The customized drone show, set against the Dallas skyline lit up in red, celebrated supporting sponsors, showcased a ‘walking’ heart mascot, and highlighted the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR. 

Both walks offered one and three-mile route options on a Saturday morning at the end of September. Dallas participants arrived before sunrise at the base of Reunion Tower, and in Tarrant County, the starting line for walkers was at The Shops at Clearfork.  

Each location featured a ‘Survivor Lane where walkers with a heart or stroke journey finished their trek to cheers from the crowd while ringing a ‘Survivor Bell. Highlights of the day included a pet zone and various educational activities focusing on healthy eating, adequate sleep, knowing health numbers, and managing weight. 

Community teams, formed by individuals who gathered family and friends for the cause, celebrated alongside teams representing corporations and local organizations, highlighting North Texas’ diverse support for heart health. Donations from these teams, generous donors, and local company sponsors helped the Heart Challenge campaigns in North Texas raise more than $5 million combined in mission support.  

Jill Griffiths, Regional Senior Vice President for the American Heart Association, said, ‘One of my favorite things about the Heart Walk is that it truly is an event for everyone. People from all backgrounds are encouraged to live a heart-healthy lifestyle. The Heart Walks are designed to reflect that inclusivity and community spirit.” 

This year there was a clear focus on Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ campaign, aiming to create a community of lifesavers through Hands-Only CPR training and awareness. With thousands gathered from around the metroplex, the event helped address the statistic that 65% of Americans report not feeling prepared to act in a cardiac emergency. Studies show CPR can double or even triple a person’s chances of survival. This fall, North Texas has new lifesavers around town as many walkers participated in Hands-Only CPR training and joined the Association’s advocacy efforts for Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in Texas.  

Heart Walks around the country have the potential to educate over 10 million people on the Nation of Lifesavers initiative and can empower participants to not only support heart health but also become part of a movement to save lives. The Heart Walks in Dallas-Fort Worth were made possible with the support of local 2024 Heart Walk Sponsors. In Dallas, top-level sponsors included ADP, AT&T, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Caliber, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway, Denbury Resources, HMM, Landis+Gyr, McCarthy Building Companies, Medical City Healthcare supported by the HCA Healthcare Foundation Oncor, PIKE Electric, Power Engineers, Primoris Services Company, Sherwin-Williams and Toyota Motor North America. In Fort Worth, top-level sponsors included BNSF, Charles Schwab, Medical City Healthcare supported by the HCA Healthcare Foundation, Centre for Neuro Skills, Sandlin Homes, and GM Financial. 

Heart Walk is the signature event of the Association’s Heart Challenge program. Comprised of Heart Walk, CycleNation, and Field Day, this suite of activities and initiatives is designed to help companies in Dallas-Fort Worth positively impact employee health and well-being while uniting them to raise funds to end heart disease and stroke. The program is anchored in a series of customizable workplace events designed to inspire employees to be more engaged, reconnect with colleagues, get physically active while supporting a great cause, and have fun doing it.  

The Association is committed to expanding its impact on health in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex through the Heart Challenge program. For more information, contact danielle.chelf@heart.org in Dallas County or jennifer.swofford@heart.org in Tarrant County. 

### 

About the American Heart Association 

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us onheart.org,Facebook,Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.     
 

For Media Inquiries:  

Lindsey Lyons Jones: (214) 441-4114; lindsey.lyonsjones@heart.org 

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