The American Heart Association announced on Mar. 26 that it has awarded 32 Nation of Lifesaver financial grants to Heart Clubs at high schools and colleges across 20 states, including the District of Columbia. The grants aim to make CPR training more accessible for students and educators nationwide as part of a broader effort to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030.
This initiative comes in response to data showing that nine out of every ten people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital die, often because they do not receive immediate CPR more than half the time. The association says these new grants will help strengthen its movement to increase preparedness for such emergencies.
Heart Clubs are student-led organizations on campuses focused on promoting physical and mental well-being while impacting their communities. Established during the 2024-2025 school year, there are now over 250 Heart Clubs throughout the United States. The newly awarded grants provide colleges with funding for two CPR in Schools Kits—complete with manikins and training materials—and $500 to facilitate campus-wide CPR instruction. High schools receiving the grant will use funds for developing Cardiac Emergency Response Plans, credentialed CPR First Aid AED training, awareness campaigns using CPR kits, and advocacy for policies aimed at safer school environments.
Pia Scarfo Allocca, whose son Francesco survived sudden cardiac arrest at Locust Valley High School in New York last November, said: "When my son's heart stopped, his coaches knew exactly what to do and jumped into action. But not everyone is that lucky... My son is alive because his school was prepared." Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., volunteer president of the American Heart Association and senior vice president at Northwell Health's Katz Institute for Women's Health in New York City added: "Preparation should be the norm, not the exception... These Heart Club grants will support the student volunteers and teacher advocates across this country working to save lives through CPR training and education."
The American Heart Association publishes official scientific guidelines for CPR; its latest clinical guidelines were released October 22, 2025 in Circulation journal. The Nation of Lifesavers initiative continues efforts so anyone can respond effectively during a cardiac emergency.
