CPR in Our Schools Bill in the Senate

   Good morning everyone! Yesterday I learned that the CPR in Our Schools bill, a piece of legislation that other American Heart Association Advocates and I worked to hard to advocate for in Albany, passed in the Senate and is currently being brought to the Assembly! This is a HUGE advancement in Heart-Healthy legislation in New York State.
   For many years, the American Heart Association has made it a point to certify as many people as possible in CPR. I first heard of CPR in Our Schools when beginning with my youth advocacy work at the American Heart Association a few years ago. I learned that the CPR in Our Schools bill would require high school students to be trained in CPR before they graduate. One of my many jobs was to ask Heart Walk attendees to sign a petition that would be sent to Albany. Let me tell you, many people were surprised to hear that CPR was not a requirement to graduate high school! I also spoke with Fred Thiele (who I hope will continue to support the bill in the Assembly and fight hard to convince his fellow Assembly members to pass it, as well) and Ken LeValle (who co-sponsored the bill) about the bill during Lobby Day in New York State.

Other Youth Advocates and I with Senator LaValle during Lobby Day in Albany!

   This is great news for New York and for the American Heart Association. A special thank you goes out to Senator LeValle for being a huge supporter of the CPR in Our Schools bill! Also, thank you to Assemblyman Thiele, who I hope will fight for the bill as well!

XOXO,
Sarah