During CPR and AED Awareness Week, community heroes empowered South Florida to become a nation of lifesavers
Cardiac arrest is swift, silent, and all too often fatal. Every year in the United States, over 350,000 people suffer cardiac arrest outside hospitals, and tragically, only about 10% survive. Among those are more than 23,000 children, many of whom collapse during sports or daily play. As summer begins, so do long days at pools, camps, and beaches, where adults trained in CPR may not be around.
The American Heart Association (AHA) is meeting this moment with a bold initiative: turning everyday bystanders into trained lifesavers. You don’t have to be a doctor to save a life; just 30 minutes and a little know-how can make all the difference. Whether it’s a CPR kiosk at the airport or an at-home training video, the tools are out there and easier than ever to access. As we mark CPR and AED Awareness Week (June 1–7), now’s the time to get familiar with these life-saving skills, not just for yourself, but for the people you love.
Rita Case: A local force behind lifesaving efforts
Rita Case, President and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, is best known for breaking barriers in the automotive industry, but her impact doesn’t stop there. Alongside the American Heart Association, she’s helped launch a powerful community initiative for CPR awareness and training. Thanks to her leadership, more than 2,000 CPR Anytime Training Kits have been distributed to hospitals, public housing sites, city departments, and nonprofits throughout Broward and Miami-Dade counties, putting lifesaving knowledge into the hands of everyday people.
These kits empower people to learn life-saving skills from the comfort of their homes in just 30 minutes. From Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital to the YMCA of South Florida, thousands are now equipped with tools to act in a cardiac emergency. According to the Association, immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.
Making South Florida a nation of lifesavers
The CPR kit donations are part of the American Heart Association's broader campaign, the Nation of Lifesavers (www.heart.org/nation-of-lifesavers), which aims to prepare everyday people to act in cardiac emergencies. With support from Corporate national sponsors like Walgreens and community leaders like Rita Case, the movement is gaining momentum.
Families are encouraged to include CPR, sunscreen, and swim gear in their summer safety checklist. Learning Hands-Only CPR, planning emergency responses for summer trips, and staying heart-healthy through exercise and nutrition are all critical steps toward a safer season.
Civic involvement also matters. Whether you join a Heart Walk, advocate for local CPR training programs, or share resources with neighbours, every action counts. As the Association’s CEO Nancy Brown put it, “The people we normally rely on in an emergency, coaches, teachers, coworkers, may not be there during summer break. That’s why we must all be ready.”
Join us in creating a heart-safe Miami
At Calle Ocho News, we are proud to spotlight changemakers like Rita Case and amplify the efforts of organizations like the American Heart Association. As a community-centered platform rooted in Hispanic culture and unity, we invite you to be part of this life-saving mission.
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