Great Northern Elementary receives grant to improve cardiac emergency preparedness
Spokane, Wash., May 7, 2026—Cardiac emergencies can happen without warning in classrooms, in hallways and on athletic fields — and when they do, every second counts. More than 23,000 children experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year in the United States[1], underscoring why schools need to be prepared to respond quickly. To help strengthen cardiac emergency preparedness, the American Heart Association awarded Great Northen Elementary in Spokane, Wash., a CPR in Schools grant through its school-based programs, Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™.
“As someone who survived cardiac arrest, I know firsthand how critical those first few minutes are, and how lifesaving CPR can be,” said Chad Brown, board chair for the American Heart Association – Washington and founder and chief executive officer of CommEx Advisors. “As a parent, I also believe strongly in equipping young people with real-world, lifesaving skills. When a cardiac emergency happens at school, students and staff shouldn’t have to wait for help to arrive - they should be ready to act. This grant will help ensure more people on the Great Northern Elementary campus know how to respond in those critical first minutes.”
The grant provides a CPR in Schools Kit, which is a reusable training resource designed to help schools teach students, staff and families the basics of CPR, how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), and first aid skills. The kit includes materials in both English and Spanish.
“Our students already understand the value of the Kids Heart Challenge because they’re learning healthy habits and lifesaving skills like CPR,” said Kara Spilker, Kids Heart Challenge coordinator and physical education teacher at Great Northern Elementary. “What inspired me to apply for the grant was the opportunity to extend that learning beyond the classroom and connect it with our families. In our rural community, emergency response times can be 25 minutes or more. Knowing that immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival, makes the education and hands-on practice vital in preparing our school community to respond to cardiac arrest emergencies.”
Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge are rooted in proven science and reach millions of students each year. In addition to learning how to respond during a cardiac emergency, students and their families learn how to eat smart, manage stress, avoid tobacco and vaping, recognize the signs of heart attack and stroke and more.
Grant applications are accepted year-round, and another group of recipients will be announced in June. To learn more about Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge and how to get involved, visit heart.org/jointhechallenge.
Additional resources:
- Multimedia is available on the right side of this release
- Read in Spanish
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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. In Washington, visit heart.org/Washington, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X.
For Media Inquiries:
American Heart Association
Valerie Koch, valerie.koch@heart.org
Lily Gordon, lily.gordon@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
