Fresno State students to become lifesavers through American Heart Association CPR grant

Fresno, Calif., April 14, 2026 — 9 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 [1] , according to American Heart Association data. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival [2] . Students in the Heart Club at California State University, Fresno are stepping up to help change this statistic. To support these lifesaving efforts, the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, recently awarded a $500 grant and two CPR in Schools Kits, complete with manikins and training materials to Fresno State’s Heart Club as part of its Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative. A Heart Club is a student led group open to college and high school level students. Participants can gain leadership experience, develop marketing and project management skills and earn community service hours all while making a positive impact on the collective wellbeing of their community. Fresno State received the award as one of 32 high school and college campuses nationwide selected for the Association’s new Heart Club grant program . “We are honored to receive this support from the American Heart Association,” said Nemah Alteshi, co-founder and president of Fresno State’s Heart Club. “This funding allows us to provide more CPR training workshops to our fellow students, as well as faculty and staff, and empower them with lifesaving skills. We hope it also encourages more students to join the Heart Club and work alongside us to make Fresno State and Central Valley’s hearts and brains healthier.” The grant will make it easier for students, faculty and staff to learn lifesaving skills and strengthen the Association’s nationwide movement to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030. Started in the 2024-2025 school year, there are now more than 250 of these student-driven groups across the U.S. Schools selected for the Heart Club grant are registered as an active Heart Club and guided by a faculty advisor. Each participating campus receives full training and guidance from the American Heart Association. “Every student deserves the opportunity to learn skills that can save a life,” said Kelley Berry, American Heart Association, Central Valley executive director. “This grant put students at the heart of the work – giving them the training, tools and confidence to lead CPR education, prepare their campus for emergencies.” Walgreens is a national sponsor of the Association’s Nation of Lifesavers initiative, committed to turning a nation of bystanders into lifesavers. To learn more about Fresno State’s Heart Club, students can sign up through Engage, the university’s official platform for student involvement, and follow the club’s Instagram @fresnostateaha . ### 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 one hundred 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. In the Central Valley, find the American Heart Association at heart.org/NorthernCalifornia or on Facebook , X and Instagram . For Media Inquiries: Amber Moak: amber.moak@heart.org Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) heart.org and stroke.org [1] Association of Bystander and First‐Responder Efforts and Outcomes According to Sex: Results From the North Carolina HeartRescue Statewide Quality Improvement Initiative | Journal of the American Heart Association [2] Demographics and Trends of Sudden Cardiac Death‐Related Mortality in the United States, 1999 to 2022 | Journal of the American Heart Association