Landmark Win: HEARTS Act Becomes Law

In December 2024, Congress passed the HEARTS Act of 2024 (H.R. 6829), officially titled the Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Research, and AED Training in Schools Act. This significant legislation authorizes important federal funding and resources—including grants—for CPR training and AED placement in public schools.

Courage To Save CPR Training on Capitol Hill

In May 2024, the Courage To Save team participated in the American Heart Association’s Hearts on the Hill advocacy event in Washington, D.C. They joined other grassroots advocates to:

• Share personal stories highlighting the need for CPR and AED access in schools.
• Meet with lawmakers to emphasize disparities in bystander response and push for equitable resources.
• Promote the HEARTS Act and the Access to AEDs Act encouraging bipartisan support for lifesaving policy.

Their presence helped personalize the issue and demonstrate community-level urgency.

Impact of the HEARTS Act

• Creates a grant program for CPR and AED training in elementary and secondary schools nationwide.
• Requires dissemination of educational materials and cardiac emergency response tools to school professionals and families.
• Supports research and awareness around cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac arrest among youth.

The American Heart Association hailed its House passage as a major step toward doubling survival rates from cardiac arrest in schools.

Why This Matters

• Each year, over 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals in the U.S., with survival rates rising sharply when immediate CPR and AED use are available.
• Students and staff in schools gain increased confidence and preparedness to act in emergencies.

With the HEARTS Act in effect, communities like ours now have access to federal backing for training and lifesaving equipment.

In gratitude to those who advocated on Capitol Hill, especially during Hearts on the Hill in May 2024, we celebrate this crucial win for student safety. With policy now backing one of our goal, Courage To Save is ready to train, empower, and equip schools—one community at a time.