Chicago Students Step up to the Plate to Learn Lifesaving CPR Skills

CHICAGO - November 5, 2026 (NEWMEDIAWIRE) - Every year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals in the United States, and immediate action from a bystander can be the difference between life and death. To help more young people feel ready to respond, the American Heart Association and the Chicago White Sox welcomed nearly 100 Chicago-area fifth graders to Rate Field for training in Hands-Only CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator) awareness.

“A cardiac emergency can happen anywhere, including a classroom, gym, home or ballpark, and the person who needs help may be someone you know and love,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “That is why it is so important to give young people the knowledge and confidence to act. These students learned that they do not have to be health care professionals to make a lifesaving difference. By recognizing a cardiac emergency, calling 9-1-1 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest, they can become a critical link in the chain of survival. Together with the Chicago White Sox, we are building a Nation of Lifesavers so that more people in every community are prepared to step in when every second counts.”

Students from Hatch Elementary School rotated through an interactive Nation of Lifesavers experience led by American Heart Association experts and local volunteers. They practiced how to recognize a cardiac emergency, call 9-1-1, deliver Hands-Only CPR at the recommended rate and depth, and understand the role of an AED. The training paired practical skills with the teamwork and readiness students see on the baseball field.

The Nation of Lifesavers initiative advances the American Heart Association’s goal of equipping more people with the knowledge and confidence to respond to sudden cardiac arrest. The Association has collaborated with MLB (Major League Baseball) on this work since 2023. Through partnerships with schools, sports organizations, community leaders and advocates, the initiative expands CPR education and promotes Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs), helping communities prepare before an emergency occurs and improving the chance that lifesaving action begins quickly.

“We’re proud to support organizations that empower young people to make a positive difference in the lives of others,” said White Sox senior Vice President of Community Relations Christine O’Reilly. “Bringing that learning to Rate Field adds a memorable experience to an important lesson that these students can carry with them well beyond the ballpark.”

Students also heard from Amber Baker, national vice president at the American Heart Association; O’Reilly, who also serves as White Sox Charities executive director; and Kristen Walenga, a Chicago-area sudden cardiac arrest survivor, whose life was saved when her then 15-year-old son provided CPR after an American Heart Association training through his school. Walenga is a member of the inaugural Nation of Lifesavers Class, a dedicated group of CPR survivors and rescuers, and shares her story through media interviews, advocacy and community engagement to help more people feel confident about taking action during a cardiac emergency.

The event was held ahead of the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions, the organization’s flagship scientific meeting and one of the world’s leading cardiovascular conferences taking place in Chicago from Nov. 7-9. The meeting convenes researchers, clinicians, health care leaders, volunteers and partners to share breakthrough science, advance cardiovascular care and accelerate the Association’s mission to improve health and save lives.

Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. By bringing CPR education to a setting rooted in sports and teamwork, the event reinforced a simple message: anyone, including a student, can take action when every second counts.

To learn Hands-Only CPR and find resources to help your school, workplace or community prepare for a cardiac emergency, visit heart.org/nation.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X, or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:

American Heart Association

Linzy Cotaya: [email protected]

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org

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