Registration open for Hands-Only CPR trainings at CycleNation

American Heart Association and Buffalo Bills teaming up to create Nation of Lifesavers

Submitted by the American Heart Association

Western New Yorkers are getting another chance to join a Nation of Lifesavers. Registration is now open for the latest in a series of Hands-Only CPR trainings made available thanks to a collaboration between the Buffalo Bills and the American Heart Association.

Trainings will be held in 30-minute sessions from 3-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at ADPRO Sports Training Center. Participants can register for a free ticket to reserve a training timeslot.

The date is a significant one. Not only will the trainings be happening at the same time as the American Stroke Association CycleNation event, but it will also be the same day the Buffalo Bills return to Cincinnati.

“Ever since Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during the Cincinnati game in January, our community has rallied behind Hamlin and his passion for CPR and AED awareness,” said Jason Stulb, executive director of the American Heart Association, Buffalo/Niagara. “Come celebrate with us at our Hands-Only CPR trainings and CycleNation event before cheering on the Bills in their primetime game!”

“Through our collaboration with American Heart Association, we look forward to supporting another Hands-Only CPR training event for anyone who would like to learn this important lifesaving skill,” said Gretchen Geitter, vice president of community relations for the Buffalo Bills.

This is the third HeartBEAT training event held as part of a five-year, $1 million commitment by the Buffalo Bills. The initiative, announced in April, will train thousands of Western New Yorkers in Hands-Only CPR over the next five years through community empowerment events, education campaigns and distribution of CPR resources to local youth sports teams and leagues. The goal is to increase the confidence and ability of members of the community to perform bystander CPR.

From 4-6:30 p.m., riders at ADPRO Sports Center will be part of CycleNation, a high-energy, indoor stationary cycling event. Teams of four ride stationary bikes in relay format. Each team member rides for 30 minutes. Teams raise money to help fund research, education and advocacy programs to help stop the cycle of stroke.

“CycleNation is more than a program – it’s an active movement empowering people across the country to get their bodies and brains in gear through cycling,” said CycleNation chairperson Dr. Vijay Iyer, cardiologist and director of the Gates Vascular Institute/BGMC. “We are really proud of our work through CycleNation and we know that through our local efforts we will be able to save countless lives.”

Buffalo CycleNation is sponsored by the Buffalo Bills, Kaleida Health, Crunch Fitness, Boston Scientific, ECMC, Medtronic and media sponsors WGRZ and Buffalo Healthy Living. To learn more about this movement, visit CycleNation.org.

Additional resources:

• buffalobills.com/heart
• Community CPR with the Buffalo Bills
• Bystander CPR 
• Bystander CPR Infographic 
• Hands-Only CPR Resources 
• Women and CPR 
• Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack 
• CycleNation Buffalo

More About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.