Buffalo Bills and American Heart Association Expand Lifesaving CPR Training Across Western New York

The Buffalo Bills, in collaboration with the American Heart Association, are deepening their commitment to community health through the HeartBEAT initiative, a program designed to equip Western New York residents with the knowledge and skills to respond to cardiac emergencies. Now in its third year, this five-year, $1 million initiative was sparked by the harrowing incident involving Bills player Damar Hamlin, who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a game, highlighting the critical need for widespread CPR training.

HeartBEAT has already made a tangible impact, with survey data showing an increase in the percentage of adults confident in performing CPR, from 30% in 2021 to 35% in 2023. The program's approach includes hands-on CPR education at various community events and the distribution of CPR and First Aid in Youth Sports training kits. These kits, 200 of which are being distributed across Western New York, have the potential to train approximately 300 people annually each, with 62 kits already placed in the community within the first two years.

The significance of this initiative cannot be overstated, given the national statistics on cardiac arrests: over 350,000 occur outside hospitals each year in the U.S., with the majority happening in homes. The program emphasizes Hands-Only CPR, a method proven to be as effective as conventional CPR in the crucial initial minutes of a cardiac emergency. Megan Vargulick, the Western New York executive director of the American Heart Association, underscores the program's life-saving potential, pointing out that immediate response to a cardiac emergency can drastically alter outcomes.

This initiative not only addresses a critical public health need but also fosters a culture of preparedness and resilience within the community. By empowering individuals with the skills to act in emergencies, the Buffalo Bills and the American Heart Association are setting a precedent for how sports organizations can play a pivotal role in public health and safety.