The American Heart Association is bringing its Nation of Lifesavers mobile CPR unit to FIFA Fan Festivals in four U.S. host cities beginning June 10, offering thousands of soccer fans the opportunity to learn Hands-Only CPR during one of the world’s largest sporting events. The initiative, announced during National CPR and AED Week (June 1-7), aims to address the more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests that occur annually in the United States, where immediate CPR can double or triple survival chances.
From June 10 through July 19, the mobile unit will be stationed at FIFA Fan Festivals in Atlanta, Dallas, and Philadelphia. Additionally, it will appear at the New York New Jersey Fan Zone in the Bronx from June 13-14 and at the Central Park Mini Pitch from June 10 through July 19. These festivals, part of the global soccer championship organized by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), are expected to draw thousands of international visitors.
The American Heart Association is collaborating closely with FIFA Medical, the health division of FIFA, to organize the CPR training. “Soccer has a unique ability to unite communities across cultures and generations,” said Andrew Massey, FIFA Medical Director. “By incorporating Hands-Only CPR training into the FIFA Fan Festival experience, fans can leave with more than memories from the tournament - they can leave with the confidence to help save a life during a cardiac emergency.”
This marks the Association’s first appearance at a FIFA event and its 10th at a major national sporting event, following previous engagements at Super Bowls, NFL Drafts, and the NBA All-Star Game. The initiative supports the Association’s goal to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030 by empowering more people to act in an emergency.
“By offering Hands-Only CPR instruction at FIFA Fan Festivals, thousands of people can join the Nation of Lifesavers and help more communities feel prepared to take action when every second counts,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “More than half of people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital don’t receive CPR before emergency responders arrive.”
The American Heart Association, recently identified by the Annenberg Public Policy Center as the most trusted public health information source after personal health care providers, is the worldwide leader in resuscitation science and publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR. Hands-Only CPR, which involves calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest, is effective for teens and adults in the first few minutes of an emergency.
Fans visiting the mobile unit can practice Hands-Only CPR, learn to recognize cardiac arrest, and build confidence to take action. Volunteer opportunities are available in select host cities for those interested in teaching CPR; no prior medical experience is required. Additional details and volunteer sign-up information is available at heart.org/FIFAFanFestival. Volunteers must be 18 and older.
With nearly three out of four out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring at home, knowing CPR can help save the life of a loved one. The Association encourages everyone to learn Hands-Only CPR and join the Nation of Lifesavers at heart.org/nation.
