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. These grants aim to increase CPR training and strengthen campus safety measures, addressing the statistic that 9 out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital die, often because CPR is not administered promptly.
The grants will support student-led Heart Clubs, which empower members to lead activities that promote physical and mental well-being. Since the program started in the 2024-2025 school year, more than 250 Heart Clubs have been established nationwide. Recipient institutions include universities such as Howard University, Cornell University, and the University of Michigan, as well as high schools like Clara Barton High School in Brooklyn and Locust Valley High School in New York.
For colleges, the grants include funding for two CPR in Schools Kits—complete with manikins and training materials—and $500 to facilitate CPR training on campus. High school grants provide funding to develop a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, offer card-credentialed CPR First Aid AED training, raise awareness with CPR in Schools Kits, and advocate for public policies to make schools safer.
Pia Scarfo Allocca, whose son Francesco survived sudden cardiac arrest at basketball tryouts in November 2025, emphasized the importance of preparedness: “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.”
Dr. Stacey E. Rosen, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, stated, “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, a leader in resuscitation science, publishes official CPR guidelines, with the latest clinical guidelines released in October 2025. The Nation of Lifesavers initiative aims to turn bystanders into lifesavers, with a goal of doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. The Association encourages everyone to learn CPR and join the movement.
Walgreens is a proud national sponsor of the Nation of Lifesavers initiative.
