Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
June 04, 2026
NWSL and American Heart Association Unveil Lifesaving CPR Ambassador Class
TLDR
- NWSL players gain leadership and visibility by joining the American Heart Association's CPR ambassador class.
- Hands-Only CPR involves calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest at 100-120 bpm.
- American Heart Association and NWSL partner to teach CPR, potentially doubling survival rates for cardiac arrest victims.
- A CPR survivor, Savy King, leads 16 NWSL ambassadors to promote lifesaving Hands-Only CPR education.
Impact - Why it Matters
This partnership matters because it leverages the influence of professional athletes to address a critical public health issue: low bystander CPR rates. With over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests annually in the U.S. and a 90% fatality rate when CPR is not performed immediately, the initiative directly tackles a leading cause of death. By training players and using their platforms to reach millions of fans, the program can significantly increase the number of people prepared to act in an emergency. The involvement of a survivor like Savy King personalizes the message, showing that anyone can be a lifesaver. Moreover, the collaboration extends to advocating for policies that protect student-athletes, highlighting a systemic approach to prevention. For readers, this news underscores the importance of learning Hands-Only CPR—a simple skill that can double or triple survival chances—and encourages them to take action through resources like heart.org/nation.
Summary
The American Heart Association and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) have teamed up to unveil the 2026 Nation of Lifesavers™ NWSL Ambassador Class during National CPR and AED Awareness Week, June 1-7. Led by Angel City FC defender and CPR survivor Savy King, the initiative brings together players from all 16 NWSL clubs to promote lifesaving CPR education. The ambassadors will support the American Heart Association’s call to learn CPR through public service announcements, social media campaigns, and community education events throughout the season. Savy King, who survived sudden cardiac arrest, founded the Savy King of Hearts foundation to drive this mission. The American Heart Association’s CEO, Nancy Brown, emphasized that immediate CPR can mean the difference between life and death, and these athletes are helping build a nation of lifesavers. The NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman highlighted the players' collective effort to use their platforms for a cause bigger than the game.
The partnership includes Hands-Only CPR education sessions for all 16 NWSL teams, led by the American Heart Association, equipping players and staff with critical skills. Over half of sudden cardiac arrest victims outside hospitals do not receive immediate CPR, leading to a 90% fatality rate. However, learning Hands-Only CPR takes just 90 seconds and can double or triple survival chances. Savy King stated that her experience showed the impact of prepared individuals, and she aims to empower more people to act. The initiative is part of the broader Nation of Lifesavers campaign, which focuses on expanding CPR education, increasing access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and building confidence to act in emergencies. The American Heart Association and NWSL have collaborated since 2023 through the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, advocating for policies to prevent fatal cardiac arrest among student-athletes. With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests occurring at home, knowing CPR is critically important. The full list of ambassadors includes players from all 16 clubs, such as Kennedy Fuller and Savy King (Angel City FC), Lo'eau LaBonta (Kansas City Current), and Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville FC), among others. To learn more about CPR, visit www.heart.org/nation.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, NWSL and American Heart Association Unveil Lifesaving CPR Ambassador Class
