Heart Walk, Kids Heart Challenge, American Heart Challenge rank in top 5 U.S. fundraisers

DALLAS, April 15, 2026 - Today, the American Heart Association is the largest non-government funder of cardiovascular research in the world, fueling public health education and community services across the globe to help people live longer, healthier lives. Much of that impact is made possible by individual supporters of the Association's community-focused campaigns in America, the organization's largest funding source, with the majority of funds coming from participants of Heart Walk® and school programs Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™.

The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, has earned two of the top five spots among the nation's largest peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, according to the 2025 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Top 30 Survey released by the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum. Heart Walk ranked No. 1 among all 30 programs for the sixth year in a row, raising $121 million in 2025 - the most of any peer-to-peer campaign in the country and the largest year-over-year increase, growing by $11 million over 2024. Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge ranked No. 4 for the fourth year in a row, noting a 4% increase and raising $80 million for the Association's lifesaving mission.

"The success of Heart Walk and Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge reflects the generosity of millions of Americans who believe in a future of healthier lives for all," said Lee A. Shapiro, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association and managing partner and co-founder at 7wireVentures, an investment firm headquartered in Chicago. "Since the American Heart Association was founded in 1924, deaths from cardiovascular disease have been cut in half - but there's still more work to be done. It's because of the people who show up, give and lead in their communities through initiatives like these that real, lifesaving progress is possible."

With more than 180 events across the country, Heart Walk reaches more than one million people annually while funding critical research, CPR education and other health-based community services. Heart Walk is committed to advancing the Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, equipping participants with Hands-Only CPR skills and supporting the Association's goal of doubling the survival rate from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030.

For nearly 50 years, the Association has worked with students and educators in schools across the country. The Association's Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge provide impactful programs to students in elementary, middle and high schools to help them feel good while doing good. These service learning-based fundraising programs reach more than 10 million families across 25,000 schools each year, empowering young people to make healthy choices, understand the importance of avoiding vaping and tobacco, learn Hands-Only CPR and more.

To find a Heart Walk near you, visit heartwalk.org. To learn more about the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge and get involved, visit heart.org/jointhechallenge.

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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: 214-706-1173
Afton Fairchild, [email protected]
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org