BETHLEHEM, N.Y., Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of a growing national movement to raise awareness and boost emergency preparedness, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation (SCAF) will host for the second year, the Ready to Respond (RtoR) nationwide program during October, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month. In 2025, it hosted 97 events and trained a total of 8,891 people.

More than 84 events are currently scheduled across the country – from an art gallery to libraries to fire departments and schools among other settings – to empower people with the knowledge and skills to respond when seconds count. For a full list of events please click here, where local H.E.A.R.T. champions and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) survivors are helping bring lifesaving education to their communities.

SCA survivors along with SCAF national spokesperson Susan Koeppen, anchor, WPXI-TV/NBC in Pittsburgh are available for interview
(individual stories and additional background is available upon request).

Each year, more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States—and nearly 90% are fatal. With most incidents happening outside of a hospital setting, bystanders are often the only immediate hope for survival.

"Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time," said Gina Peattie, Executive Director of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. "But when people are equipped with knowledge and skills, they can make the difference between life and death. That's what the Ready to Respond campaign is all about – helping more people learn the facts, gain the skills, and save a life."

Participants will learn how to perform hands-only CPR, how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator), and how to respond confidently in an emergency. Events are free and open to the public and well as private for organizations and groups.

"This training could help save the life of a family member, coworker, or neighbor," adds Peattie. "Most cardiac arrests happen at home, and immediate CPR or AED use can double or triple someone's chance of survival."

About the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation (SCAF) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness, supporting survivors and families, and saving lives through education, research, and community. Learn more at sca-aware.org.

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SOURCE Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation