CHICAGO — Nearly 100 fifth graders from Hatch Elementary School gathered at Rate Field to learn Hands-Only CPR and automated external defibrillator awareness, in an event hosted by the American Heart Association and the Chicago White Sox. The training comes as more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals in the United States each year, and immediate action from a bystander can mean the difference between life and death.
During the event, students rotated through an interactive Nation of Lifesavers experience led by American Heart Association experts and local volunteers. They practiced recognizing a cardiac emergency, calling 9-1-1, delivering Hands-Only CPR at the recommended rate and depth, and understanding the role of an AED. The training paired practical skills with the teamwork and readiness students see on the baseball field.
“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.”
Students also heard from Amber Baker, national vice president at the American Heart Association; Christine O’Reilly, White Sox senior vice president of community relations and 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 to help more people feel confident about taking action during a cardiac emergency.
“We’re proud to support organizations that empower young people to make a positive difference in the lives of others,” O’Reilly said. “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.”
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.
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 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, helping communities prepare before an emergency occurs.
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, visit heart.org/nation.
