Heartsaver Heroes recognized at Buffalo Bandits game

Robert Beer and Amber Pyra saved a life with CPR

American Heart Association Press Release & Photo 

When someone’s heart stops pumping, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can save their life. That’s why the American Heart Association, a global force for a world of healthier lives for all, was proud to recognize two Heartsaver Heroes before the Buffalo Bandits game at the KeyBank Center on Saturday night.

On Jan. 5, Terry Franckowiak collapsed at the Sam’s Club in Niagara Falls due to cardiac arrest. Right away, nursing student Amber Pyra started CPR. Sam’s Club Manager Robert Beer took over and sent a staff member to get the automated external defibrillator, or AED. Beer continued CPR and shocked Franckowiak with the AED. Thankfully, Franckowiak was awake and talking as he was put into the ambulance. He turned 82 years old the next day.

Beer is a military veteran and has performed CPR four times in his life. Pyra, who has always wanted to be a nurse, stressed the importance of CPR and encouraged others to learn it.

The Heartsaver Hero Award recognizes the heroes that step in to save a life during an emergency. More than half of people who experience sudden cardiac arrest out of a hospital don’t receive immediate CPR, contributing to a high death rate. As many as 9 out of 10 people who experience sudden cardiac arrest die. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

“Unfortunately, too many sudden cardiac arrest victims don’t get the help they need,” said Megan Vargulick, executive director of the American Heart Association in the Buffalo/Niagara Region. “The Heartsaver Hero Award is our way of thanking the people who take action. Knowing how to respond in a cardiac emergency when seconds matter can be the difference between life and death.”

During the Bandits game, the American Heart Association and UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine gave others the chance to join the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers. Attendees could learn hands-only CPR at demonstration tables. A video demonstrating hands-only CPR played on the scoreboard before the game. The demonstrations were part of the HeartBEAT initiative with the Buffalo Bills to help increase community awareness of CPR.

Today, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the U.S. annually. Nearly three out of four of those cardiac arrests happen in homes.

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. It is as simple as calling 911 if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse and then pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest.

Additional resources:

• Bystander CPR | Bystander CPR Infographic (PDF) 
• Hands-Only CPR Resources
• Hands-Only CPR vs CPR with Breaths 
• Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack
• Reducing Disparities for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest – Community Toolkit: English and Spanish versions available
• Take 90 seconds to learn how to save a life at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.

More about the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than 100 years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day.

Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.