American Heart Association Expands Lifesaving Impact in Durham by Teaching CPR Skills and Strengthening the Nation of Lifesavers™ Initiative
The American Heart Association (AHA), a leading force in the fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke, continues to make a profound impact across the United States through its commitment to building what it calls a Nation of Lifesavers™. This ambitious initiative aims to equip as many people as possible with the skills needed to respond during a cardiac emergency, especially sudden cardiac arrest. Recently, the AHA extended its reach by hosting a vital event in Durham, North Carolina—one of many such efforts taking place across the country to improve the “chain of survival,” a critical sequence of actions that dramatically increases the chances of survival for someone experiencing a cardiac arrest.
Durham, a vibrant and growing city known for its educational institutions and medical research, was a natural choice for the AHA’s next stop. The event brought together people from all walks of life—students, teachers, healthcare professionals, first responders, and everyday citizens—to learn and practice hands-only CPR, a simple yet powerful lifesaving technique. This community-centered approach lies at the heart of the Nation of Lifesavers™ vision: empowering ordinary people with extraordinary skills that can save lives.
Cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, striking suddenly and often without warning. It occurs when the heart unexpectedly stops beating, preventing blood and oxygen from flowing to the brain and other vital organs. Without immediate intervention, death can occur within minutes. Unfortunately, according to AHA statistics, over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen each year in the U.S., and nearly 90% of those are fatal. However, when a bystander performs CPR—especially hands-only CPR—the person’s chance of survival can double or even triple.
That stark difference underscores the importance of bystander action and the urgent need for more widespread CPR training. In too many cases, people hesitate to step in because they fear doing something wrong, lack confidence in their skills, or simply haven’t been trained. The AHA is working to change that by demystifying CPR and encouraging people to get involved. Events like the one held in Durham are designed to make CPR accessible, approachable, and even empowering.
During the Durham event, participants learned the basics of recognizing cardiac arrest, calling 911, and performing high-quality chest compressions until emergency help arrives. This straightforward method—push hard and fast in the center of the chest—can be learned in just minutes, yet it can have a life-altering impact. The AHA provided hands-on demonstrations using mannequins, step-by-step guidance from trained instructors, and motivational talks from survivors and first responders who have seen firsthand how immediate CPR can make the difference between life and death.
The event also focused on community engagement and health equity. It’s no secret that cardiac arrest survival rates can vary significantly based on geography, race, and socioeconomic status. In many underserved neighborhoods, access to CPR training is limited, and residents may be less likely to receive bystander CPR during an emergency. The AHA is committed to breaking down these barriers by bringing lifesaving education directly into the communities that need it most. That’s why events like the one in Durham aren’t just about training—they’re about building trust, raising awareness, and creating lasting change.
Local leaders, including public health officials, educators, and community organizers, played a key role in the Durham event’s success. Their involvement helped ensure the training reached a broad and diverse audience, from high school students to elderly residents. By partnering with schools, churches, youth groups, and other community organizations, the AHA created a ripple effect—one that encourages attendees to take what they learned and share it with family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. This grassroots approach transforms individuals into advocates, multiplying the impact of each training session and expanding the Nation of Lifesavers™ one person at a time.
In addition to hands-on CPR instruction, the Durham event included education about the broader “chain of survival”—a term that describes the series of critical steps that improve the odds of surviving a cardiac arrest. These include: early recognition of cardiac arrest and calling 911, immediate bystander CPR, rapid defibrillation with an AED (automated external defibrillator), effective advanced life support provided by emergency medical services (EMS), and integrated post-cardiac arrest care in a hospital setting. Each link in the chain is vital, but bystander CPR is especially crucial because it often represents the first and fastest response.
The AHA is also working to increase access to AEDs in public spaces and teaching people how to use them. These portable devices analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if needed, deliver an electric shock to help restore a normal heartbeat. Many people are intimidated by the idea of using an AED, but modern devices are designed to be simple and user-friendly, with audio and visual prompts to guide even untrained users through the process. The AHA emphasizes that anyone can use an AED and that taking action quickly can dramatically improve the chance of survival.
As the Nation of Lifesavers™ campaign gains momentum, the AHA has set ambitious goals for the future. By 2030, the organization hopes to double the survival rate from cardiac arrest by training millions of people in CPR and increasing community access to AEDs. It’s a bold vision, but one that’s grounded in evidence and driven by urgency. The more people who know how to respond in an emergency, the more lives can be saved.
Durham’s participation in this national movement is a testament to what’s possible when a community comes together for a common cause. The event served as both a celebration of life and a call to action, reminding attendees that they don’t have to be medical professionals to make a lifesaving difference. The AHA’s message is clear: when someone collapses from cardiac arrest, every second counts—and anyone can be the one to step up and save a life.
Stories shared during the event added a powerful emotional layer to the hands-on training. Attendees heard from cardiac arrest survivors who were saved by quick-thinking bystanders, as well as from family members who lost loved ones because no one nearby knew CPR. These real-life accounts drive home the importance of training and inspire others to become part of the solution. In many ways, these stories are the heartbeat of the Nation of Lifesavers™—personal reminders of why this work matters so deeply.
Moreover, the event highlighted how CPR training can be integrated into everyday life. Schools are beginning to include it in their curriculum. Workplaces are offering lunch-and-learn sessions. Faith-based communities are organizing group trainings. The AHA encourages this kind of integration because it normalizes lifesaving knowledge, removes the stigma of inaction, and helps create a culture where stepping in to help is seen as both heroic and expected.
The Durham event, like others in the series, was just one step on a much larger journey. But for the individuals who attended, it was a potentially life-changing experience. Whether they use their skills next week or never face an emergency at all, they are now part of a growing movement committed to saving lives. They are the newest links in the chain of survival, and they are proof that collective action can lead to powerful outcomes.
In a world where medical emergencies can happen at any time and in any place, being prepared is no longer optional—it’s essential. The American Heart Association’s work in Durham is a reminder that knowledge is power and that even a few minutes of training can have a lifetime of impact. As more cities join the Nation of Lifesavers™, the vision of a country where everyone is ready to act in a crisis comes closer to reality.
The AHA’s efforts are about more than statistics or training sessions; they’re about humanity, empathy, and empowerment. They’re about neighbors helping neighbors, strangers saving strangers, and communities becoming stronger together. As Durham adds its name to the growing list of cities committed to lifesaving education, it sets an example for others to follow. In the end, building a Nation of Lifesavers™ isn’t just a goal—it’s a movement. And it’s one that has the power to save countless lives, one heartbeat at a time.
