New York Giants Foundation and American Heart Association Partner to Enhance Cardiac Emergency Preparedness in Schools

The New York Giants Foundation, in partnership with the American Heart Association, has taken a significant step towards enhancing cardiac emergency preparedness in 12 local New Jersey school districts. This initiative, which focuses on providing comprehensive CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training, is a response to the alarming statistic that nearly 90% of individuals who suffer cardiac arrest outside of hospital settings do not survive, often because of delayed or absent CPR.

On March 20, educators and representatives from schools across Hackensack, Springfield, New Milford, Oradell, Clifton, Montclair, Bergen County, East Orange, Morristown, and Saddle Brook convened at MetLife Stadium for a crucial training session. Each participating school was equipped with a CPR in Schools kit, which includes 10 Hands-Only CPR manikins and 10 AED training tools. Additionally, three schools were fortunate to receive an AED, further bolstering their emergency response capabilities.

The significance of this initiative cannot be overstated. With approximately 23,000 individuals under the age of 18 experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year, and nearly 40% of these incidents related to sports activities, the need for widespread CPR and AED training is clear. The Hands-Only CPR technique, which simplifies the initial emergency response to calling 911 and performing continuous chest compressions, has been shown to be equally effective in the critical moments following a cardiac arrest.

This effort is part of the NFL's Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which seeks to promote policies that prevent fatal cardiac outcomes among high school students. By providing these resources and training, the New York Giants Foundation and the American Heart Association are not only addressing a pressing public health concern but also empowering communities to take action in life-threatening situations. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, and Allison Stangeby, vice president of community and corporate relations for the New York Giants, both emphasized the importance of this initiative in fostering a safer environment for students and the broader community.

The implications of this partnership extend far beyond the immediate benefits to the participating schools. By equipping educators and students with the knowledge and tools to respond to cardiac emergencies, this initiative has the potential to save countless lives, setting a precedent for other organizations and communities to follow. The collaboration between the New York Giants Foundation and the American Heart Association serves as a powerful example of how sports organizations and non-profits can work together to address critical health issues and make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities.