The American Heart Association will host its Nation of Lifesavers Mobile CPR unit at the Dow Championship LPGA golf event in Midland, Michigan, offering walk-up training in Hands-Only CPR to fans throughout tournament days. The initiative addresses a critical public health issue: according to the American Heart Association, most people who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not survive, largely because they do not receive immediate CPR. When administered right away, CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival.
Qualified CPR trainers will be available to teach participants the correct rate and depth of chest compressions, emphasizing that Hands-Only CPR is as effective as traditional CPR in the first few minutes of an emergency. The technique is simple: call 911 if you see a teen or adult collapse, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest. The goal is to increase the number of people ready to act, improving survival outcomes in the community.
The event is part of the American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers movement, which aims to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. The association has partnered with the LPGA and Dow, a global materials science leader, to bring this training to golf fans. Dow's SOAR Summit, held during tournament week, will feature a fireside chat on resilience and recovery following cardiac events, with NFL Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders, NWSL player Savy King, and American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown sharing personal stories to encourage fans to learn CPR.
“Every second counts when a cardiac arrest occurs, and far too often help doesn't arrive in time because bystanders don't feel prepared to act. Through the Nation of Lifesavers, we're equipping people with the confidence and skills to step in during those critical moments,” said Nancy Brown. “We're grateful to work with Dow and the LPGA at the Dow Championship to bring this lifesaving education directly to the community and to amplify the powerful voices of survivors and advocates who remind us that learning CPR truly can mean the difference between life and death.”
Jim Fitterling, chair and CEO of Dow and co-chairperson of the American Heart Association CEO Roundtable, emphasized the company's commitment to community health: “By bringing people together around these important conversations and skills, we can help ensure more individuals are prepared to respond in an emergency and create lasting impact far beyond tournament week.”
The Nation of Lifesavers initiative has previously activated at major sporting events including Super Bowl LX in San Francisco, the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, and multiple NFL Drafts. The Mobile CPR Unit will also appear at FIFA Fan Festival sites in New York City, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Dallas this summer. Through these efforts, the American Heart Association, Dow, and the LPGA aim to ensure communities are better prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies wherever fans live, work, and play.
