Posted by By Donny Ede October 25, 2025 on Nov 14th 2025

2025 Kalamazoo Heart Walk promotes CPR, raises funds to support heart health

Kalamazoo's Homer-Stryker Field turned red on Saturday for the 2025 Kalamazoo Heart Walk.

Hosted by the American Heart Association (AHA), the walk/fundraiser aimed to celebrate survivors and raise funds to support the mission of the AHA.

Funds raised at the walk help to bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for research, and enhance CPR training accessibility.

"That skill is simple, right? Anyone really can do it and so we wanna promote that as much as possible in our community so that we're turning a nation of bystanders into a nation of lifesavers," said Caleb Porter, development director for Kalamazoo for the American Heart Association.

Roughly 500 participants took part in the walk, which aimed to raise $150,000. At the time of this article's publication, they reached just over $120,000, according to organizers.

The walk showcased a featured survivor, Chris Jozwik, fire chief of the Johnstown Township Fire Department, whose life was saved by family members who performed CPR after Jozwik suffered a cardiac event.