HUDSON, Mass., January 16, 2025 — On a quiet January morning, the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest’s Hudson Clubhouse came alive with purpose, as employees knelt beside CPR manikins, practicing skills that could one day save a life.
Under the guidance of Stephanie Voltaire, community impact director for the American Heart Association in Greater Boston, they practiced chest compressions and mastered the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), tools that could mean the difference between life and death for one of the hundreds of children who visit the community center each week.
This hands-on training session was part of a broader initiative to enhance safety at the organization’s Hudson and Framingham locations. With financial support from Massachusetts philanthropists Dorene and Tom McCourt, the American Heart Association has provided the clubhouses with two new AEDs, staff CPR training, and customized plans for responding to a cardiac emergency.
The need for updated equipment and training became clear during a recent safety review, said Barbara Tolland, director of operations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest.
“We realized our AED was expired, and we wanted to go beyond just replacing it,” she said. “We wanted to turn this into a comprehensive effort to train our staff and even our kids in lifesaving skills.”
Laura Terzigni, vice president of the organization, reached out to the American Heart Association, which launched the initiative.
The new AEDs, equipped with both pediatric and adult pads, were customized to fit the specific needs of each clubhouse. At the Hudson location, the AED is mounted in a central, easily accessible area. In Framingham, where activities take place across multiple buildings, a portable AED ensures that help is available wherever it’s needed.
The initiative also introduces lifesaving training to the organization’s young and culturally diverse members. Over half of the children, ranging from first grade to high school, come from Portuguese-speaking immigrant families, with a growing number of Spanish- and Haitian Creole-speaking families also represented. Additionally, the Hudson clubhouse supports families experiencing homelessness in the area, according to Tolland.
“This training is about creating a ripple effect of preparedness and safety in our community,” she said.
A key component of the initiative is the cardiac emergency response plan developed by the American Heart Association. This living document outlines critical details such as AED locations, staff responsibilities, and procedures for handling cardiac emergencies. Local fire departments have also been looped into the safety upgrades, ensuring seamless coordination in the event of an emergency.
Each year, more than 23,000 children in the United States experience cardiac arrest, and approximately 40% of these cases are linked to sports. In emergencies involving teens and adults, performing hands-only CPR — a method that involves chest compressions without mouth-to-mouth breaths — can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. This simple yet effective technique ensures that blood continues to flow to vital organs until professional medical help arrives.
The American Heart Association has set a goal of doubling the survival rate from cardiac arrest by 2030 through Nation of Lifesavers, a public education campaign focused on increasing the number of people who respond to cardiac emergencies by calling 911, delivering high-quality CPR and using an AED.
“The goal is to turn bystanders into lifesavers,” Voltaire, the Association’s community impact director, said, “so that, in the time of a cardiac emergency, anyone, anywhere, is prepared and empowered to become a vital link in the chain of survival.”
While the Boys & Girls Clubs in Hudson and Framingham have never faced a cardiac arrest, Tolland says the training and equipment provide peace of mind.
“Our mission is to help kids grow into strong, well-rounded individuals,” she said. “And keeping them safe is the foundation of that mission.”
###
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.
For Media Inquiries:
Chris Camire: chris.camire@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org