The 2026 Tennessee Valley Heart Walk is set for Saturday at Chattanooga State Community College.

The event opens at 8 a.m. with the opening ceremony at 9 a.m. The walk begins at 9:30 a.m.

Colline Miller said, "At the heart of the event are local survivors whose lives illustrate exactly why this work matters.

"Amy Young suffered a cardiac arrest while walking along the Tennessee Riverwalk in Chattanooga in 2024. An off-duty firefighter nearby immediately began CPR, helping give Amy the chance to survive.

Today, Amy is a cardiac arrest survivor, and she will help close Saturday's opening ceremony with a powerful heartbeat and drum moment highlighting what can happen when someone nearby knows CPR and is prepared to respond.

"Others taking part include Susan Harper, a two-time stroke survivor whose husband recognized the warning signs and acted quickly; Tyler Brandenburg, who experienced a heart attack at 28 and a stroke at 31 before doctors eventually discovered a congenital heart defect; and Savanna Bredeson, a young cardiac arrest survivor who has lived with a heart condition since childhood.

"There is also a strong local business and community engagement story. Companies and organizations throughout the Tennessee Valley have spent this campaign finding creative ways to rally their employees, students and communities around Heart Walk. From custom T-shirts and employee fundraising activities to friendly competition and the traveling Heart Walk torch, the commitment from local organizations has been clear.

"That enthusiasm will come together on Saturday as company and community teams arrive in their custom Heart Walk shirts and celebrate what they have accomplished throughout the campaign.

"The program will recognize top corporate fundraising teams and culminate the new Heart Walk Torch Journey, where the torch has traveled among local companies throughout the campaign before being awarded to this year's top corporate fundraising team."

For more information: ChattanoogaHeartWalk.org