The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the American Heart Association announced the 2026 Nation of Lifesavers NWSL Ambassador Class on Wednesday, during National CPR and AED Awareness Week (June 1-7). The initiative brings together players from all 16 NWSL clubs to promote lifesaving CPR education and empower communities to act during cardiac emergencies.
Led by Angel City FC defender Savy King, a sudden cardiac arrest survivor, the ambassador class includes players such as Kennedy Fuller (Angel City FC), Emmie Allen (Bay FC), Hannah Stambaugh (Boston Legacy FC), Elise Evans (Chicago Stars FC), Megan Reid (Denver Summit FC), Sarah Schupansky (Gotham FC), Paige Nielsen (Houston Dash), Lo'eau LaBonta (Kansas City Current), Riley Jackson and Dani Weatherholt (North Carolina Courage), Ally Lemos (Orlando Pride), Shae Harvey (Portland Thorns FC), Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville FC), Kennedy Wesley and Kiki Pickett (San Diego Wave FC), Cassie Miller (Seattle Reign FC), Kaleigh Riehl and Alex Lorea (Utah Royals FC), and Gabrielle Carle (Washington Spirit).
The ambassadors will support the American Heart Association’s call to learn CPR by amplifying public service announcements, participating in social media campaigns, and engaging in community education events throughout the season. As part of the partnership, all 16 NWSL teams held Hands-Only CPR education sessions led by the Heart Association, equipping players and staff with skills to act in cardiac emergencies. King will also join the Heart Association for a Hands-Only CPR session with the league’s front office.
“When someone has a sudden cardiac arrest, immediate CPR can mean the difference between life and death,” said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “Thanks to the leadership of the NWSL and Savy King, we are so pleased to welcome this class of NWSL players to use their powerful platform to encourage everyone, everywhere to be prepared to act.”
The initiative is critical because over half of sudden cardiac arrest victims outside hospitals do not receive immediate CPR, leading to a 90% fatality rate, according to the American Heart Association. Learning Hands-Only CPR takes just 90 seconds and can double or triple survival chances. “Experiencing sudden cardiac arrest changed my life forever, but it also showed me the incredible impact that one prepared person can have in an emergency,” said King, who also founded the Savy King of Hearts foundation. “If sharing my story encourages even one person to learn Hands-Only CPR, that could help save a life.”
The partnership builds on the existing collaboration between the NWSL and the American Heart Association as founding members of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, established initially by the NFL to advocate for policies preventing fatal cardiac arrest among high school students. More than 23,000 children under 18 experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest annually, with about 40% occurring among student-athletes, making CPR education a critical public health priority.
“What makes this initiative so powerful is how our players have come together to support her and to use their platforms in service of something bigger than the game,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “We are proud to team up with the American Heart Association and to see this group of ambassadors lead the way in educating and empowering communities across the country.”
Nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside of hospitals occur at home, underscoring the importance of bystander CPR. The American Heart Association recommends that witnesses call 9-1-1 immediately and begin chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute and a depth of about two inches. Hands-Only CPR is chest compression-only CPR. For more information, visit heart.org/nation.
