JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The American Heart Association’s First Coast Heart Walk is returning stronger than ever this year, and the entire community is invited to walk, celebrate, and help save lives.
Heart disease is the No.1 killer of adults in the United States, and stroke ranks second globally. Through fundraising, community education and corporate engagement, the Heart Walk aims to enhance CPR training accessibility, bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for vital research and ultimately, save lives.
The 2025 First Coast Heart Walk is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4, and you can register for free and donate now.
Last year, more than 25,000 attendees joined together to raise awareness and celebrate heart health, making this the largest family- and pet-friendly walk on the First Coast! The event brought together more than 70 companies and 600 teams to raise more than $1.2 million toward the fight against heart disease and stroke.
This year promises to be even bigger.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
- Location: Jacksonville Fairgrounds
- Festival Opens: 7:30 a.m.
- Walk Begins: 9:00 a.m.
WJXT’s own Cherish Geter, General Sales Manager and proud member of the American Heart Association’s Executive Leadership Cabinet, is helping spearhead this year’s Heart Challenge campaign. Plus, News4JAX’s on-air talent will emcee the event, bringing extra energy and excitement to the stage!
2025 Festival Highlights
Participants will enjoy a lively festival area before and after the walk, featuring:
- Hands-Only CPR demonstrations
- Photo booths
- Interactive activities for all ages
Early registration is encouraged!
Why We Walk: “I Walk to Save Lives”
The focus of the 2025 Heart Walk is clear: building a Nation of Lifesavers. By teaching more people CPR and increasing community preparedness, we can turn bystanders into lifesavers. The American Heart Association is working to inspire one person in every household to be confident and ready to perform CPR.
The funds raised through the Heart Walk go directly to:
- Advancing lifesaving research
- Expanding CPR education and training
- Driving equitable health outcomes for all
Through fundraising, corporate engagement, and community education, the First Coast Heart Walk empowers neighbors to save lives.
CPR & Cardiac Arrest Awareness
Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere—at home, work, or on the field. Being prepared can mean the difference between life and death. Here are key facts:
- 9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die.
- Immediate bystander CPR can double or triple survival chances.
- Each year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the U.S., and about 70% happen at home.
- Women and people of color are less likely to receive bystander CPR, creating serious gaps in survival rates.
The American Heart Association has set an ambitious goal: double cardiac arrest survival by 2030. To achieve this, we must empower more people to act quickly by:
- Calling 911
- Performing high-quality Hands-Only CPR
- Using an AED as soon as possible
Hands-Only CPR is simple: Call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a familiar song with 100–120 beats per minute.
The First Coast Heart Walk isn’t just an event—it’s a movement. By walking, fundraising, and learning CPR, you’re helping save lives in our community and beyond.
Mark your calendars for October 4, 2025, register for free today, and join thousands of neighbors in creating a Nation of Lifesavers.