NWSL and American Heart Association Launch 2026 Nation of Lifesavers Ambassador Class to Boost CPR Education

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the American Heart Association have unveiled the 2026 Nation of Lifesavers NWSL Ambassador Class during National CPR and AED Awareness Week, aiming to turn awareness into action and empower communities to respond to cardiac emergencies.

Led by Angel City FC defender and CPR survivor Savy King, the initiative brings together players from all 16 NWSL clubs to promote lifesaving CPR education. According to the American Heart Association, over half of sudden cardiac arrest victims outside hospitals do not receive immediate CPR, leading to a 90% fatality rate. Learning Hands-Only CPR takes just 90 seconds and can double or triple survival chances.

“When someone has a sudden cardiac arrest, immediate CPR can mean the difference between life and death. Thanks to the leadership of the NWSL and Savy King, we are so pleased to welcome this class of NWSL players to use their powerful platform to encourage everyone, everywhere to be prepared to act,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association.

As part of the collaboration, all 16 NWSL teams have held Hands-Only CPR education sessions led by the Heart Association, equipping players and staff with skills to act in cardiac emergencies. King will also join the Heart Association for a training session with the league’s front office. King, who survived sudden cardiac arrest, founded the Savy King of Hearts foundation to promote CPR education.

“Savy is an extraordinary example of resilience, leadership and purpose, and her willingness to turn her personal experience into something that can save lives is incredibly inspiring,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “What makes this initiative so powerful is how our players have come together to support her and to use their platforms in service of something bigger than the game.”

Ambassadors will amplify public service announcements, participate in social media campaigns, and engage in community education events throughout the season. The American Heart Association, a global leader in CPR, aims to double survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030 through its Nation of Lifesavers initiative, which focuses on expanding CPR education and increasing access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

The partnership builds on the NWSL and American Heart Association’s involvement in the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, initially established by the National Football League, which advocates for evidence-based policies to prevent fatal cardiac arrest among high school students. According to the American Heart Association, more than 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital annually, with about 40% occurring among student-athletes.

“Experiencing sudden cardiac arrest changed my life forever, but it also showed me the incredible impact that one prepared person can have in an emergency,” said King. “I am here today because people acted quickly and because lifesaving resources were available when I needed them most.”

For more information on learning CPR, visit www.heart.org/nation.

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