More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals in the United States each year, and immediate action from a bystander can mean the difference between life and death. Recognizing this, the American Heart Association and the Chicago White Sox hosted nearly 100 Chicago-area fifth graders at Rate Field for training in Hands-Only CPR and AED awareness. The event, held ahead of the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, aimed to equip young people with the knowledge and confidence to respond to cardiac emergencies.
Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, emphasized that cardiac emergencies can happen anywhere—a classroom, gym, home, or ballpark—and that the person needing help may be someone you know and love. "That is why it is so important to give young people the knowledge and confidence to act," she said. "These students learned that they do not have to be health care professionals to make a lifesaving difference. By recognizing a cardiac emergency, calling 9-1-1 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest, they can become a critical link in the chain of survival." Brown added that the partnership with the White Sox is part of building a Nation of Lifesavers so that more people in every community are prepared to step in when every second counts.
Students from Hatch Elementary School rotated through an interactive Nation of Lifesavers experience led by American Heart Association experts and local volunteers. They practiced recognizing a cardiac emergency, calling 9-1-1, delivering Hands-Only CPR at the recommended rate and depth, and understanding the role of an AED. The training paired practical skills with the teamwork and readiness students see on the baseball field. The Nation of Lifesavers initiative advances the American Heart Association's goal of equipping more people with the knowledge and confidence to respond to sudden cardiac arrest. The Association has collaborated with MLB on this work since 2023. Through partnerships with schools, sports organizations, community leaders and advocates, the initiative expands CPR education and promotes Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs), helping communities prepare before an emergency occurs and improving the chance that lifesaving action begins quickly.
"We're proud to support organizations that empower young people to make a positive difference in the lives of others," said White Sox senior Vice President of Community Relations Christine O'Reilly. "Bringing that learning to Rate Field adds a memorable experience to an important lesson that these students can carry with them well beyond the ballpark." Students also heard from Amber Baker, national vice president at the American Heart Association; O'Reilly, who also serves as White Sox Charities executive director; and Kristen Walenga, a Chicago-area sudden cardiac arrest survivor whose life was saved when her then 15-year-old son provided CPR after an American Heart Association training through his school. Walenga is a member of the inaugural Nation of Lifesavers Class, a dedicated group of CPR survivors and rescuers, and shares her story through media interviews, advocacy and community engagement to help more people feel confident about taking action during a cardiac emergency.
The event was held ahead of the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, the organization's flagship scientific meeting and one of the world's leading cardiovascular conferences taking place in Chicago from Nov. 7-9. The meeting convenes researchers, clinicians, health care leaders, volunteers and partners to share breakthrough science, advance cardiovascular care and accelerate the Association's mission to improve health and save lives. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival. By bringing CPR education to a setting rooted in sports and teamwork, the event reinforced a simple message: anyone, including a student, can take action when every second counts. To learn Hands-Only CPR and find resources to help your school, workplace or community prepare for a cardiac emergency, visit heart.org/nation. For more information, visit heart.org and stroke.org.
