This month, CareOregon is excited to partner with the American Heart Association (AHA) of Oregon & SW Washington on their annual Torch Journey, a tradition in which a ceremonial torch travels through the community — culminating in the Heart & Stroke Walk in Portland on June 6.

The torch symbolizes unity, resilience and a shared commitment to heart health, serving as a “light in the darkness of poor health,” urging community members to take action for their hearts. That spirit reflects CareOregon’s ongoing work alongside local communities to address the conditions that shape health and create opportunities for people to thrive.

During its 10-week journey, the torch will make several stops, including at CareOregon’s downtown Portland office from May 18-29.

More on the Heart & Stroke Walk

CareOregon has partnered with the AHA since 2024, sponsoring and participating in the Heart & Stroke Walk in both 2024 and 2025. This year, we’re excited to bring our largest group of walkers yet, aiming for 150 or more CareOregon employees, along with their loved ones and friends.

The AHA’s Heart & Stroke Walk is a premier annual fundraising and community-building event, held in over 1,000 cities nationwide, dedicated to raising funds for research and education to fight heart disease and stroke. As a family-friendly, non-competitive event, it promotes physical activity and supports initiatives like CPR training. Walkers can opt for 1-mile or 3.1-mile (5 kilometer) walks. The event also features music, speakers from local health organizations, and sponsor booths with giveaways and other heart-healthy goodies.

The Heart & Stroke Walk is a major fundraising campaign, with the events raising over $200 million in 2025 to support healthier lives. The AHA is the largest non-government funder of cardiovascular research in the world.

How you can get in on better heart health

To get involved in the 2026 Heart & Stroke Walk, you can:

• Register to walk: You can sign up as a Coach (to create your own team), an individual walker, or as a member of an existing team. 
• Donate: You can select a walker or team and donate on their behalf, or opt to donate directly to the event.

Proceeds go to the AHA’s life-saving research on preventing heart disease and stroke, as well as community programs and advocacy efforts.

As the AHA torch makes its stop at CareOregon, employees are invited to participate in a range of activities that promote heart health and well-being. These include a Cultural Health Series with AHA that highlights the importance of heart health across our communities; opportunities to register to raise funds through the Heart & Stroke Walk; a lunchtime group walk from the CareOregon office on May 28 and a Heart Wellness 10,000 steps-a-day challenge running throughout the month.