The American Heart Association has awarded 33 Nation of Lifesaver financial grants to American Heart Association Heart Clubs at high schools and colleges across 20 states, including the District of Columbia, to improve CPR training and cardiac emergency preparedness on campuses. According to Association data, 9 out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital die, often because they do not receive immediate CPR more than half of the time. These grants aim to change that by empowering student-led organizations to promote lifesaving skills.
American Heart Association Heart Clubs are student-led groups on high school and college campuses that focus on physical and mental well-being. Since their inception in the 2024-2025 school year, over 250 clubs have been established nationwide. The awarded schools include colleges such as the University of Rhode Island, Washington and Lee University, Howard University, Villanova University, Cornell University, Case Western Reserve University, University of Michigan, Purdue University, Fisk University, Spelman College, Tuskegee University, Grambling State University, The University of Texas at Austin, California State University Fresno, and Molloy University. High schools receiving grants include Hampshire Regional High School, Clara Barton High School for Health Professions, Locust Valley High School, The Ursuline School, Bayside High School, George Washington High School, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies, Alliance Academy for Innovation, Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School, Pflugerville High School, TCC SE Mansfield ISD Early College High School at Timberview, Davis Senior High School, Mt. Carmel High School, Newark Memorial High School, Ruben S. Ayala High School, Vanden High School, and West Career and Technical Academy.
The importance of these grants is underscored by personal stories like that of Francesco Allocca, who survived sudden cardiac arrest at a high school basketball tryout in November 2025. His mother, Pia Scarfo Allocca, emphasized that his coaches' training saved his life. "Preparation should be the norm, not the exception," said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., volunteer president of the American Heart Association. "These Heart Club grants will support student volunteers and teacher advocates working to save lives through CPR training."
For colleges, the grants include funding for two CPR in Schools Kits with manikins and training materials, plus $500 to facilitate CPR training. High school grants provide funding for developing a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, card-credentialed CPR First Aid AED training, awareness through CPR in Schools Kits, and advocacy for safer school policies.
The American Heart Association is the worldwide leader in resuscitation science, education, and training, publishing the official CPR guidelines. The latest guidelines were released in October 2025 in the journal Circulation. The Nation of Lifesavers initiative aims to turn bystanders into lifesavers, with a long-term goal of ensuring anyone is prepared to perform CPR in a cardiac emergency. Join the Nation of Lifesavers by learning CPR.
