Hundreds of Western New Yorkers prepared and empowered to perform CPR

Hands-Only CPR training event helps create Nation of Lifesavers, place AEDs in WNY community

American Heart Association Press Release 

According to American Heart Association data, nine out of every 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die, in part because they do not receive immediate CPR more than half of the time. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. That is why the American Heart Association, the Buffalo Bills and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield brought cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to Niagara Falls High School on Tuesday, along with a donation that will place 10 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the community.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, hundreds of student athletes, parents and community members learned the lifesaving skill to build confidence and capabilities to respond in the event of a cardiac emergency.

“Early recognition and action in a cardiac emergency is the difference between life and death. When seconds matter it is important to have people nearby who are confident and capable to begin administering CPR. This event is helping to support that critical link in the community” said Megan Vargulick, executive director of the American Heart Association, Buffalo/Niagara region. “As the American Heart Association celebrates 100 years of lifesaving work, we know that, with every CPR training we perform, we are one step closer to ensuring that everyone, everywhere, is prepared and empowered to perform CPR and become a vital link in the chain of survival.”

“We are extremely blessed to have great partners in the American Heart Association, the Buffalo Bills and Highmark to present such a critical event,” said Mark Laurrie, superintendent of Niagara Falls City School District and member of the American Heart Association’s national superintendent council. “Hands-Only CPR needs to be learned and relearned by everyone. You never know when this will save a life, and our partners continue to bring great value to our students and our community.”

During the training event, the Buffalo Bills Foundation and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield announced grants for 10 local nonprofits to help place more AEDs in the community. Each AED will equip organizations to respond to cardiac emergencies.

Organizations receiving grants include:

√ Cataract Youth Football and Cheerleading

√ Community Missions

√ Delaine Waring African Methodist Episcopal Church

√ Heart, Love & Soul

√ Lockport Little League

√ Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club

√ Niagara Falls Public Library (two AEDs)

√ Packard Court Community Center

√ Slow-Roll Buffalo

“The power of collaboration is undeniable. Our ongoing partnership with the Buffalo Bills and the American Heart Association is a testament to that. Together, we continue to bring vital CPR training and resources to our community, and as of today, we’ve placed AEDs at 25 local nonprofits in both Erie and Niagara counties,” said Michael Ball, vice president, community affairs, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “These lifesaving tools combine to make our community more resilient, and ultimately healthier.”

The American Heart Association is the worldwide leader in resuscitation science, education and training, and publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR. With nearly three out of four cardiac arrests outside of the hospital occurring in homes, knowing how to perform CPR is critically important. With more bystanders certified with the knowledge of CPR, the chance for a positive recovery increase for the community.

Hands-Only CPR participants learned the correct rate and depth of compressions and how to use an AED. Compression-only CPR, known as Hands-Only CPR, can be equally effective as traditional CPR in the first few minutes of emergency response and is a skill everyone can learn. It is as simple as calling 911 if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse and then push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

The training event was part of the HeartBEAT initiative, a five-year, $1 million commitment by the Buffalo Bills. The program, which started in 2023,will train thousands of Western New Yorkers in Hands-Only CPR over five years through community empowerment events, each aimed at training hundreds of people. Quick, simple and easy-to-learn, Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be as effective in the first few minutes as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public.

The American Heart Association encourages everyone, regardless of where they live, to take 90 seconds to learn how to save a life now at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.

Additional resources:

√ buffalobills.com/heart

√ Bystander CPR 

√ Bystander CPR Infographic 

√ Hands-Only CPR Resources 

√ Women and CPR 

√ Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack 

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 a century. During 2024 – our centennial year – we celebrate our rich, 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact, our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.