NFL Smart Heart Sports Coalition Launches “AEDs for Youth” Program

“Our mission to empower everyone to save a life from Sudden Cardiac Arrest aligns seamlessly with the Coalition’s dedication to enhancing lifesaving measures in schools and sports. By joining forces, we aim to elevate standards of emergency preparedness and ensure that effective and reliable AEDs are accessible nationwide and that every individual has access to cutting-edge AED technology when and where it is needed most. We are eager to collaborate on initiatives that promote awareness, training, and the deployment of AEDs, fostering a safer environment for all students, staff, athletes, and the broader community.” 

According to the American Heart Association, 70% of children survive cardiac arrest in schools with properly placed AEDs – seven times the overall survival rate. However, only about half of all states require AEDs in schools, and these laws vary widely, often lacking comprehensive guidelines on placement, access, and training. Even fewer states mandate AEDs at school athletic facilities and events, despite the fact that sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among young athletes and four in ten sudden cardiac arrest events among young people occur during sports or other vigorous physical activities.

Coalition members shared their support for the program and the difference it can make in schools and communities:

“On January 2, 2023, I went into cardiac arrest and was fortunate to have professionals around me who used an AED and performed CPR to save my life,” said Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills safety and founder of the Chasing M’s Foundation. “It was a tough experience, but I’m proud it inspired so many across our country to learn CPR and how to use an AED. Not long after, the NFL launched the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, and I was honored to be part of that effort and work with great partners to push for laws to protect kids. The AEDs for Youth program is a perfect example of what we can accomplish together to help save lives. School by school and state by state, the AEDs for Youth program will make sure that more schools have access to the same care I received – because every kid deserves a chance.”

“The American Heart Association is a founding member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which is working in each state to improve survival from cardiac arrest,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “Thanks to the work of this coalition, 13 states have already passed policies requiring cardiac emergency response plans in schools and/or school athletic facilities and events and the ‘AEDs for Youth’ program will support schools as they implement these plans that include training in CPR and AEDs, ultimately leading to more lives saved.”

“As an organization dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac arrest and death in children and young adults, we understand the importance of having access to AEDs in safeguarding lives,” added Martha Lopez-Anderson, Executive Director of Parent Heart Watch. “By providing discounted pricing on AEDs, accessories and AED program management, we are removing barriers and enabling schools and youth sports organizations to fully prioritize cardiac emergency preparedness. This program is a proactive step toward preventing tragedies and creating safer environments for our youth.”

Nicole Ward, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Make Them Know York Name Foundation and mother of Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns defensive back shared, “My family and I live with the enduring feeling of disbelief and heartache from losing a loved one due to sudden cardiac arrest. The mission of our foundation is to help prevent families around the country from a similar, avoidable tragedy. This program certainly advances that goal by giving school communities across the country the life-saving devices, awareness, and skills to help protect students, teachers and families from preventable fatalities.” 

The “AEDs for Youth” program is available through December 31, 2025, and is open to both public and private schools from kindergarten to 12th grade and youth sports organizations. Discounts on AED bundles range from 20% to 60%, depending on the brand, model, and quantity (in the case of the Avive Connect AED) selected. There is no minimum or maximum purchase requirement for schools, school districts or youth sports organizations must purchase in order to participate in the program.

To learn more about the program and to purchase an AED bundle, visit the coalition’s website at www.smartheartsports.com.

About the Smart Heart Sports Coalition
Founded in March 2023 in response to the life-saving emergency response provided to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, the Smart Heart Sports Coalition seeks to drive the adoption in all 50 states of three evidence-based policies proven to prevent fatalities from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) among high school students. These are:

1. Clearly-marked AEDs at or within minutes of each high school athletic venue where games, practices, or other events are held; 
2. An athletic Emergency Action Plan (EAP) that is specific to each athletic venue, and posted, widely distributed, regularly rehearsed, and updated annually, if needed; and 
3. Education in CPR, including AED use, for coaches and other key personnel.