American Heart Association brings lifesaving CPR education to thousands at Operation Safe Return

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Aug. 7, 2026 — The American Heart Association, a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, reached thousands of Coastal Bend families with lifesaving CPR education during Operation Safe Return event on August 1. 

This was the second year the American Heart Association participated in Operation Safe Return, an annual community event led by the Corpus Christi Police Department's Crime Reduction Unit that helps families prepare for the school year with school supplies, health services and community resources.  

The Heart Association conducted Hands-Only CPR demonstrations, taught families the signs of cardiac arrest, to call 911 and perform CPR until help arrives. An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people attended the event.  To encourage continued learning at home, the Association also distributed 161 CPR & First Aid Anytime® training kits to families. 

"Every person who learns CPR is another potential lifesaver in our community," said Amy Snell Canterbury, development director for the American Heart Association in Corpus Christi. "Operation Safe Return gave us the opportunity to equip families with the confidence and skills to act during a cardiac emergency." 

The CPR & First Aid Anytime® kits were made possible through generous support from Heart of Corpus Christi campaign sponsors: 

Each year, more than 350,000 people suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the United States. including 23,000 children. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. Through its Nation of Lifesavers ™ initiative, the American Heart Association aims to ensure more people are prepared to take action when every second counts. 

To learn more about Hands-Only CPR and the Nation of Lifesavers initiative, visit heart.org/nation-of-lifesavers. 

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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.