Checkout Round Up Campaign Runs Through Late May

Between April 30 and May 21, purchases at participating Pilot, Flying J, and One9 Travel Center locations can be rounded up at checkout. Those contributions go toward stroke prevention and education programs supported by the American Heart Association.

Stroke Warning Signs Front and Center This Month

The campaign places a strong emphasis on recognizing symptoms early. Pilot and the American Heart Association are highlighting the B.E. F.A.S.T. method, which outlines key warning signs drivers and travelers should be aware of:

B – Balance Loss: Does the person appear unsteady?
E – Eye (vision) Changes: Is vision blurred or temporarily lost?
F – Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop, or is it numb?
A – Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb?
S – Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred?
T – Time to call 911: If someone shows any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Education and Screenings Included in the Initiative

Beyond the fundraising effort, Pilot is also providing stroke-related education, resources, and screenings to its team members. The same materials are available to the public through local American Heart Association offices.

Miles of Good Program Continues Health-Focused Efforts

The campaign builds on Pilot’s ongoing involvement in the American Heart Association’s Life is Why initiative through its Miles of Good program. This marks the second year the company has included a dedicated focus on American Stroke Month fundraising.

More details on the campaign and participating locations are available at pilotcompany.com.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: May 7, 2026

Source: Truckers News

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Running from Jan. 30 through Feb. 22, the 2026 initiative encourages professional drivers and everyday travelers to turn routine fuel and food stops into direct support for organizations working to reduce heart disease and stroke across the U.S. and Canada.

A One Million Dollar Goal with Nearly a Decade of Impact

Pilot’s goal for the 2026 Heart Month campaign is to raise one million dollars, adding to nearly ten million dollars already raised over nine years in partnership with the American Heart Association and Heart & Stroke.

Funds raised support heart health education, medical research, and community programs aimed at prevention and early intervention, areas that are especially important for truck drivers who often face long periods of sedentary time, irregular sleep, and limited access to routine care.

A Personal Message from a Stroke Survivor

One of the strongest voices behind the campaign comes from inside Pilot’s own leadership team.

“Heart disease and stroke affect millions of lives every year, including my own,” said Julius Cox, executive vice president, chief people and administrative officer at Pilot, and stroke survivor. “After overcoming my experience, I became even more committed to taking care of my personal health and encouraging others to do the same. Every dollar raised during the campaign helps fund groundbreaking research and equips communities with life-saving tools and education they need to keep more hearts beating.”

For drivers, Cox’s message underscores a reality many in the industry know firsthand. Heart health is not an abstract issue. It directly affects careers, families, and life on the road.

Simple Ways Drivers Can Participate on the Road

Truck drivers stopping at Pilot, Flying J, or One9 locations can support Heart Month in a few quick, practical ways that fit naturally into a workday.

In-store options include

• Purchasing a one-dollar, three-dollar, or five-dollar paper heart at U.S. locations
• Rounding up in-store purchases to the nearest dollar at checkout

In the U.S., 100% of proceeds benefit the American Heart Association’s Life is Why campaign. In Canada, round-up donations benefit Heart and Stroke.

Mobile app option

• Drivers can now donate one dollar, three dollars, or five dollars directly through the Pilot app when placing a mobile order, making participation possible even during tight schedules.

A Thank You Designed for Drivers

To show appreciation, Pilot is offering a practical reward drivers can actually use.

Drivers who join the Heart Month Challenge in the Pilot app and purchase a paper heart in store will receive an offer for a free small hot coffee on their next visit, subject to program terms.

Why Pilot Says Heart Health Fits Its Core Purpose

Pilot leadership says the campaign reflects more than fundraising. It aligns with how the company sees its role in the transportation industry.

“At Pilot, our purpose is to show people they matter at every turn and supporting heart health is one of the most meaningful ways we can live out that purpose,” said Adrienne Ingoldt, senior vice president, communications, risk and procurement at Pilot and member of the American Heart Association’s National Life is Why Council of Retailers. “We are grateful for our team members and the millions of guests who choose to support Heart Month. We want everyone to live longer, healthier lives through education, a healthy diet, physical activity, and regular medical screenings.”

Support for Pilot Team Members and the Broader Community

In addition to customer fundraising, Pilot is providing its own team members with hands-only CPR training, blood pressure resources, and heart health education developed by the Heart Association. These resources are also available to the public through local Heart Association offices.

The campaign is funded through Pilot’s Miles of Good giving program, which supports charitable initiatives connected to community health and well-being.

Why This Matters for Truck Drivers

For professional drivers, Heart Month is a reminder that small actions, both personal and collective, add up. Whether it is monitoring blood pressure, taking advantage of health screenings, or rounding up a purchase at checkout, these steps help strengthen the safety net for drivers, families, and communities that rely on the trucking industry every day.

Additional campaign details are available here, while heart health resources can be found at heart.org and heartandstroke.ca.

Source: The Trucker

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From May 9 through May 31, guests visiting Pilot, Flying J, and One9 Travel Center locations nationwide can support the cause by choosing to round up their purchases at checkout. Every cent raised will go directly to the American Heart Association, helping fuel its essential stroke education programs and community outreach efforts.

“Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, and raising awareness and providing lifesaving education is critical to helping people take action and save lives,” said Adrienne Ingoldt, Chief Marketing Officer at Pilot and member of the American Heart Association’s Life is Why Council.

This initiative strengthens Pilot’s long-standing commitment to the American Heart Association through its eight-year collaboration with the Life is Why campaign. In 2025, the focus will sharpen specifically on stroke education and prevention, with Pilot enhancing efforts through team member CPR training and distributing helpful resources about recognizing and responding to stroke symptoms.

A key part of this outreach centers on FAST—an easy way to remember the warning signs of a stroke:

• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulty
• Time to call 911

Identifying these symptoms quickly can mean the difference between life and death.

To explore more about Pilot’s efforts this American Stroke Month or to find a travel center participating in the campaign, visit pilotflyingj.com/stroke-month.

Join Pilot in supporting stroke prevention. Small actions—like rounding up at checkout—can lead to big impacts in saving lives.

Source: Truckers News
Image Source: Pilot

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