Frank Murphy interviews Mindy Savage of the American Heart Association and Matt Odom, chairman of the 2026 Greater Knoxville Heart Walk. This year's walk takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Covenant Health Park, 500 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville. More than 3,000 people are expected to gather for the new Greater Knoxville Heart Walk experience, a participant-centered event focused on CPR readiness, survivor stories and community impact. The walk begins and ends on the field following a route through downtown Knoxville.
Saturday, September 12, 2026
7:30 am – Gates open for pre-walk activities
8:30 am – Tug-of-war competition
9:15 am – Programming
9:30 am – Walk kicks off from the field

Heart Walk is the Association’s largest community-facing initiative. Through fundraising, community education and corporate engagement, Heart Walk aims to enhance CPR training accessibility, bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for vital research and drive equitable health for all people. Participants can register for the Greater Knoxville Heart Walk at greaterknoxvilleheartwalk.org. From there, they can create a fundraising page and complete the Lifesaver Challenge, which includes learning Hands-Only CPR in just 90 seconds.

<p>Frank Murphy interviews Mindy Savage of the American Heart Association and Matt Odom, chairman of the 2026 Greater Knoxville Heart Walk. This year's walk takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Covenant Health Park, 500 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville. More than 3,000 people are expected to gather for the new Greater Knoxville Heart Walk experience, a participant-centered event focused on CPR readiness, survivor stories and community impact. The walk begins and ends on the field following a route through downtown&nbsp;Knoxville.</p>
<ul>
<li>Saturday, September 12, 2026</li>
<li>7:30 am &ndash; Gates open for pre-walk activities</li>
<li>8:30 am &ndash; Tug-of-war competition</li>
<li>9:15 am &ndash; Programming</li>
<li>9:30 am &ndash; Walk kicks off from the field</li>
</ul>
<p>Heart Walk is the Association&rsquo;s largest community-facing initiative. Through&nbsp;fundraising, community education and corporate engagement, Heart Walk aims to&nbsp;enhance CPR training accessibility, bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for&nbsp;vital research and drive equitable health for all people.&nbsp;Participants can register for the Greater Knoxville Heart Walk at&nbsp;greaterknoxvilleheartwalk.org. From there, they can create a fundraising page and&nbsp;complete the Lifesaver Challenge, which includes learning Hands-Only CPR in just 90&nbsp;seconds.</p>

East Tennessee Now is a community oriented public affairs program designed to address local problems and issues and explore possible or existing solutions. The program features community leaders, representatives of area non-profits, healthcare professionals and other experts in their respective fields.