The American Heart Association is bringing its Nation of Lifesavers mobile CPR unit to FIFA Fan Festivals in four U.S. host cities beginning next week, offering fans the opportunity to learn Hands-Only CPR during one of the world’s largest sporting events. The initiative, announced in conjunction with National CPR and AED Week (June 1-7), aims to address the more than 350,000 cardiac arrests that occur outside hospitals in the United States each year. Immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival, yet more than half of those who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not receive CPR before emergency responders arrive, according to the American Heart Association.
From June 10 through July 19, the mobile CPR unit will be stationed at FIFA Fan Festivals in Atlanta, Dallas, and Philadelphia, as well as at the New York New Jersey Fan Zone in the Bronx from June 13-14, and at the Central Park Mini Pitch from June 10 through July 19. The festivals, run by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), are expected to draw thousands of international visitors to watch matches and engage in community activities. This marks the American Heart Association’s first appearance at a FIFA event and its 10th at a major national sporting event, following appearances at Super Bowls, NFL Drafts, and the NBA All-Star Game.
The collaboration with FIFA Medical underscores the importance of health initiatives at major sporting events. FIFA Medical Director Andrew Massey stated, “Soccer has a unique ability to unite communities across cultures and generations. By incorporating Hands-Only CPR training into the FIFA Fan Festival experience, fans can leave with more than memories from the tournament - they can leave with the confidence to help save a life during a cardiac emergency.” The American Heart Association, recently identified as the most trusted public health information source after an individual’s personal health care provider by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, is the worldwide leader in resuscitation science and publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR.
Hands-Only CPR, also known as compression-only CPR, is effective for teens and adults in the first few minutes of an emergency. It involves calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest. Visitors to the mobile unit can practice the technique, learn to recognize cardiac arrest, and build confidence to act. The initiative supports the Association’s goal to double survival rates of cardiac arrest by 2030. “By offering Hands-Only CPR instruction at FIFA Fan Festivals, thousands of people can join the Nation of Lifesavers and help more communities feel prepared to take action when every second counts,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association.
With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside the hospital happening at home, knowing CPR can help save the life of a loved one. Volunteer opportunities are available in select host cities, with no prior medical experience required, at heart.org/FIFAFanFestival. Additional information on Hands-Only CPR is available at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR. The American Heart Association’s presence at these festivals aims to leave a lasting public health legacy, empowering fans to become part of the Nation of Lifesavers.
