Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation

12/12/2025

Happy everyone! We are back from the CASSummit in Phoenix and we had an amazing time! Thank you to the Citizen CPR Foundation for hosting. We will be sharing more about our experience at the summit in the coming weeks!

This week we hosted a HEART Champion webinar and the recording is now available on our YouTube channel and on our website for those interested in helping to raise awareness. The webinar features some amazing panelists, as well as tools and resources to help raise awareness in your community. Thank you to everyone for participating!

Webinar recording here: https://youtu.be/LZ1bji3OE54

Have a wonderful weekend! ♥️

12/12/2025

🏆 Congrats to Our Video Contest Winner! 🏆

The Citizen CPR Foundation and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation recently hosted a video contest as part of the Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit in Phoenix, AZ, Dec 3–6. The goal: raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and the life-saving actions everyone can take - calling 9-1-1, performing CPR, and using an AED.

After careful review by judges from both organizations, the top 5 finalist videos were featured at the summit. 🎬

🥇 First Place: Heartbeat NOLA’s “Valentine’s Day,” submitted by Maurice Trosclair. Congratulations on creating a powerful, impactful video that highlights the importance of bystander action!

We extend our gratitude to CoroMed for donating a ZOLL AED 3 as well as HSI remote skills verification class and a Life Vac anti-choking device, as the winning prize package.

Watch the winning video and all contest submissions here: https://www.sca-aware.org/sca-news/heartbeat-nola-wins-cardiac-arrest-survival-video-contest (link in bio)

12/11/2025

12/11/2025

Celebrating a Life-Saving Hero! ♥️

Congratulations to Stephen Theall, winner of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation’s 2025 “People Saving People Award”! Stephen’s quick thinking and CPR skills saved the life of 13-year-old Heather Freligh when she experienced sudden cardiac arrest in her classroom.

Stephen's quick response and performing CPR gave Heather a second chance at life. Today, she’s a passionate advocate for heart health and sudden cardiac arrest awareness, crediting Stephen for making her survival and advocacy possible.

The award was presented at the Citizen CPR Foundation Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit in Phoenix, and Stephen also received an AED donated by SCAF partner, Defibtech.

Join us in congratulating Stephen and all the 2025 nominees who are true lifesaving heroes!

Read more: https://www.sca-aware.org/sca-news/stephen-theall-receives-2025-people-saving-people-award

12/10/2025

Upcoming CASA Webinar! ♥️

Rethinking Death: Exploring What Happens When We Die

Join us for Parnia Lab’s premiere film, where scientists, physicians, and cardiac arrest survivors reveal groundbreaking insights into life, death, and what lies beyond.

🎥 Followed by a discussion with Dr. Sam Parnia.

📅 Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/vRhrawyjRDG38s-mT_YERA #/registration (link in bio)

This webinar is being hosted by CASA, a program of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation.

12/10/2025

🫀 SCAF’s Partners in Preparedness: Making Readiness More Accessible

Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere — and being prepared can mean the difference between life and death. Through our ongoing Partners in Preparedness program, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation works with trusted industry partners to provide exclusive discounts on AEDs, CPR training, and emergency response solutions.

Whether you’re an individual, school, nonprofit, or workplace, these partner-supported offers help make lifesaving preparation more affordable, more accessible, and more achievable.

Because when more people are equipped to respond, more lives can be saved.

👉 Explore our Partners in Preparedness and strengthen your readiness today.

https://www.sca-aware.org/about-sudden-cardiac-arrest/partners-in-preparedness (link in bio)

12/09/2025

An ordinary moment turned into a lifesaving one.

In the early morning hours, Kathleen and Steven Simonetti heard strange noises coming from their infant son Noah’s monitor. When Kathleen checked on him, he was blue and not breathing.

She immediately began CPR. Steven called 911. When EMS arrived, they used an AED to restart Noah’s heart.

Because his parents were ready to respond, Noah survived.
Today, he’s an energetic 4-year-old who loves dinosaurs, soccer, and arts & crafts — and his family is committed to raising awareness so more parents know CPR and are prepared for sudden cardiac arrest.

📸 Photo of Noah with his parents

This holiday season, you can help more families be ready to respond.
Join us in celebrating 20 years of SCAF’s commitment to lifesaving training.

❤️ Donate today. Your gift helps save lives.

https://www.sca-aware.org/donate

12/08/2025

🚨 Happening TOMORROW — Don’t Miss It! 🚨
Our HEARTS in Action webinar goes live December 9th at 2 PM ET, and if you’re a H.E.A.R.T. Champion or an advocate who wants to take your impact to the next level, this is your moment.

Here’s what you’ll gain in just one hour:
❤️ Strategies to tell your story with clarity and confidence
🌎 How to engage your community—online and in person
🤝 Tips for building partnerships that strengthen awareness
⚡ Ways to maximize SCAF tools and resources
Plus: insights from survivors and leaders including Gina Peattie, Johnnie Davis, Jorge Ginzo, and Jana Bonassi.

🎁 AND, a special giveaway will be announced live during the webinar.

⏰ Reserve your spot now (before it’s too late!): https://bit.ly/4nY5UzA
(Link in bio)

Not a H.E.A.R.T. Champion yet? There’s still time to join our incredible community of everyday heroes. Sign up through the link below or in our bio and be part of tomorrow’s event!

12/05/2025

Today’s is coming to you straight from the CASSummit in Phoenix, AZ! Gina Peattie, our Executive Director, is joined by Mary M. Newman, MS, Founder and former President & CEO of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the summit last night. Gina and Mary are having a great time connecting with survivors, partners, advocates, and more.

Congratulations on your incredible accomplishment, Mary!

12/04/2025

👏 A Huge Thank You to Our Intern, Joanna! 👏

We’re incredibly grateful to Joanna Kunz, our Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation intern, for putting together this comprehensive summary of evolving AED laws across the country. Her hard work, attention to detail, and commitment to our mission have made a meaningful impact during her internship. 💙

From new requirements for Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in schools, to AED mandates in senior living environments, libraries, golf courses, youth sports, contractor worksites, and more—Joanna’s research helps keep communities informed and prepared.

Thank you, Joanna, for your outstanding work and dedication!

If you are interested in interning with the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation next semester, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Reach out to Gina Peattie, Executive Director, at Gina.Peattie@sca-aware.org

Read more on AED law updates: https://www.sca-aware.org/sca-news/aed-law-updates

12/03/2025

🚨 Women are less likely to receive bystander CPR—and a study in Circulation shows why.

Fears about injury or inappropriate contact, along with training tools that mostly feature male bodies, leave many responders hesitant to act.That’s why the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation (SCAF) is proud to partner with PRESTAN, whose female manikins help make training more inclusive. When trainees practice on all body types and genders, they gain the confidence to step in when it matters most.

💙 Inclusive training builds readiness—and saves lives.

👉 Learn more: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.037692

12/02/2025

💙 This Giving Tuesday, You Can Help Save a Life 💙

Because someone was ready, Nils survived.

When 25-year-old soccer player Nils Gulbranson collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest during a men’s league game in Minnesota, players from the opposing team didn’t hesitate. They jumped into action—starting CPR and using an AED until help arrived.

Their quick response saved his life.
Today, Nils is here because someone was trained, prepared, and ready to respond.

This Giving Tuesday, you can help prepare more people to save lives.
Your donation supports the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation’s 20 years of leadership in raising awareness and educating communities about SCA, CPR, and AEDs.

👉 Make a gift today and help others be ready to respond.
https://www.sca-aware.org/donate