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

The New York Giants Foundation has collaborated with the American Heart Association to enhance cardiac emergency preparedness across 12 local New Jersey school districts through comprehensive CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training. On March 20, representatives from schools in Hackensack, Springfield, New Milford, Oradell, Clifton, Montclair, Bergen County, East Orange, Morristown, and Saddle Brook gathered at MetLife Stadium to receive critical life-saving training. Each participating school received a CPR in Schools kit containing 10 Hands-Only CPR manikins and 10 AED training tools, with three schools additionally receiving an AED.

The training addresses a critical public health concern: nearly 90% of people experiencing cardiac arrest outside hospitals die, often due to delayed or absent CPR. Immediate CPR can potentially double or triple a person's survival chances. According to the American Heart Association, approximately 23,000 individuals under 18 experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrests annually, with nearly 40% related to sports activities. Compression-only CPR, or Hands-Only CPR, offers a simplified approach that can be equally effective during the initial emergency response. The technique involves calling 911 and performing continuous chest compressions when a teen or adult suddenly collapses.

This initiative aligns with the NFL's Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which aims to advocate for evidence-based policies preventing fatal cardiac outcomes among high school students. By providing training and resources, the Giants Foundation and American Heart Association are empowering communities to respond effectively during critical medical emergencies. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized the importance of early recognition and action during cardiac emergencies, stating that each CPR training brings communities closer to ensuring widespread preparedness. Allison Stangeby, vice president of community and corporate relations for the New York Giants, highlighted the foundation's commitment to community safety by leveraging NFL Foundation grant funding to provide these essential resources.

The partnership represents a significant step toward addressing the alarming statistics surrounding youth cardiac emergencies. With cardiac arrest survival rates heavily dependent on immediate intervention, equipping schools with proper training and equipment could save numerous lives in educational and athletic settings. The American Heart Association's research indicates that effective bystander CPR can dramatically improve outcomes, making community-wide training initiatives particularly valuable. The New York Giants Foundation's involvement demonstrates how professional sports organizations can leverage their platforms and resources to address pressing public health challenges at the local level.

This collaboration between a major sports franchise and a leading health organization creates a model for other communities to follow, potentially expanding life-saving training to additional schools and districts. The focus on Hands-Only CPR makes the training accessible to people without medical backgrounds, increasing the likelihood that bystanders will take action during emergencies. As schools implement these programs, they contribute to building safer environments where staff, students, and visitors are better prepared to handle sudden cardiac events. The initiative's timing is particularly relevant given growing awareness about cardiac risks in youth sports and the importance of emergency preparedness in school settings.