The American Heart Association and The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation are partnering to enhance community preparedness for cardiac emergencies through comprehensive CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) education initiatives.
The foundation's $600,000 commitment will support training for coaches, athletes, sports league officials, Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Department personnel, and residents in affordable housing communities. This strategic investment aims to increase bystander intervention capabilities and improve survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
Current data reveals a critical need for such training, as nearly 9 out of 10 people experiencing cardiac arrest outside hospitals do not receive immediate CPR. Immediate CPR can potentially double or triple a person's chance of survival.
The initiative gained momentum following Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest in 2023, prompting the Teppers to provide Heartsaver® CPR AED courses across their sports organizations. This marked the first NFL team to offer comprehensive cardiac emergency response training.
Recent American Heart Association survey data indicates growing public readiness, with CPR confidence among U.S. adults increasing from 30% to 35% between 2021 and 2023. The foundation's efforts contribute to the Association's goal of doubling sudden cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.
By expanding CPR education across diverse community sectors, the program seeks to create a network of potential lifesavers equipped to respond effectively during critical medical emergencies.
