SaveHeart Stories Newsletter
February 2026
News to Use in the Fight Against Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Hello friends,
Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s one of our favorite holidays here at SaveHeart by HeartNation. Because it’s all about the heart…
We’re proud of legislators and community leaders who take a stand to protect public safety at local events, and in their schools, parks, and common areas. But it’s easier to do when you have a say and a direct responsibility for safety.
It’s a little harder when you’re a “regular” member of the community. A Mom or Dad, or maybe a volunteer or a local coach who wants to make things safer for their families and their communities…but isn’t sure where to start.
But they’re not letting that stand in their way. They’re showing heart , and they’re showing up. Across the country, we’re seeing individuals speaking out and standing up to make places safer, simply because they believe that looking out for each other matters. One person decides
to act, others follow, and suddenly an entire community is better prepared. That’s how heart safety grows.
We’ve each got a heartbeat. We salute those who are using theirs to impact change.
In this month’s newsletter, you’ll read more about some inspiring, community-led stories, learn about important state-level updates and new regulations affecting heart safety, and get a look at recent and upcoming local events focused on preparedness, education, and saving lives.
Here’s to you, my friend. Your heart matters. Thank you for all that you do to make sure everyone else’s heart does, too.
God bless you,
Dave Fritzsche,
Founder, SaveHeart by HeartNation
HeartNation Happenings…
Big Hearted Community Members Making a Big Difference
We want to take a moment to spotlight Paxtang, PA community member Carley Furlow. A local tennis coach, Carley, has a goal to place AEDs at all outdoor parks with tennis courts across central PA. Recently, she led the effort to place an AED in a SaveHeart cabinet at Saussaman Park in Paxtang, PA. Check out this news report with a video celebrating this accomplishment.
But as big as her heart is, she couldn’t have done it without help from the Peyton Walker Foundation and its Huddle for Hearts
initiative. Together, they’re sponsoring outdoor AEDs, CPR training, and heart screenings for youth sports organizations- giving coaches, athletes, and families real tools that save lives.
Their effort is already placing 10 new SaveHeart outdoor AED cabinets in community spaces, with many more coming soon.
We’re honored to work with partners & communities all over the country to protect hearts and celebrate life. Contact us to discover how we can work together to do the same wherever you live, work and play.
Wadsworth, Ohio Listens to it’s Community.
And they’re safer for it!
Just like Carley Furlow in PA, Jenny Young and Amber Wheatley in Wadsworth, OH are making a difference in their communities, too.
Jenny has a personal motivation behind her heart-focused story. Jenny’s son saw a soccer player stricken with a heart issue on the soccer field and asked her if he was going to die if he played Soccer.
That could be heartbreaking. But Jenny showed heart and petitioned her community to install lifesaving AED’s at the Muhl Park soccer fields where her son and so many others in her community gather to play, watch, and cheer each other on.
Amber shares how her efforts to raise funds have already impacted the Wadsworth Community, and how much more needs to be done. She asks for funding and support from the City Council members to make Muhl Park even safer for everyone who plays and gathers there.
Well done, Jenny and Amber. You’re inspiring, and your enthusiasm for community safety is contagious!
Wadsworth, OH Resident Jenny Young shares her story and advocates for AED access before Wadsworth City Council
Amber Wheatley speaks before Wadsworth, OH City Council in support of heart safety and greater access to lifesaving AED’s
State Update: Massachusetts Advances AED Legislation
Last week, the Massachusetts House of
Representatives passed H.4993, legislation that would strengthen heart safety at sporting events and public activities across the state.
If enacted, the bill would require facilities hosting sporting
events to have at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) on site, along with a trained provider present during
events. The goal is simple: faster emergency response and a better chance of survival when sudden cardiac arrest occurs.
The bill now moves to the Massachusetts Senate for consideration.
This is another example of how awareness, advocacy, and community momentum can translate into meaningful action that protects lives where people gather and play.
SaveHeart Partners
Expanding Access to Life-Saving Care in Harrison
The City of Harrison, Ohio has partnered with the One Shot Foundation to install a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at the Harrison Community Center, expanding access to life-saving care for residents, athletes, and visitors.
The project was led by Lauren White, Director of Program Development for the One Shot Foundation, in coordination with Fire Chief William
Hursong and the City of Harrison. SaveHeart by HeartNation is thrilled to play a role in helping make this effort possible, supporting local
partnerships that put heart safety within reach.
Congratulations Team Trace on a Great Event
We were proud to support Team Trace as a sponsor of their Heart to Heart Charity Gala last Saturday in Easton, MD
As part of the event, a SaveHeart by HeartNation AED Tower was auctioned off to support Team Trace’s mission. The winning bidder will have their name proudly displayed on the station, highly visible to everyone it’s there to protect.
Over the past 10 years, Team Trace has donated nearly
$650,000 to Children’s National Medical Center in support of congenital heart disease research. They’ve also invested more than $50,000 in AEDs for parks and sports fields across Maryland’s Eastern Shore
We’re honored to stand alongside Team Trace. Their AED donations and research funding is helping to protect hearts in their native
Maryland and across the country.
Join us and the Kristoffer Larsen Big Heart Memorial
Foundation on March 10th.
We’re excited to head back to Geneva High School in Geneva, IL, to volunteer at their upcoming student heart screening on March 10th, 2026. They do it every two years. The 2024 event was amazing,
and we’re grateful to be part of it again.
If you’re in Illinois, come join us in supporting this important and exciting effort, made possible by our friends at the Kristoffer Larsen Big Heart Memorial Foundation. Here’s a link to get
involved. http://www.kristofferbigheart.org/
Let’s do this!
Have You Heard the
SaveHeart Stories Podcast?
The SaveHeart Stories podcast tells real life stories from people affected by SCA, including those who have dedicated their lives to eliminating unnecessary SCA death. You can listen on SaveHeartStories.com, on our YouTube Channel or wherever you stream your favorite podcasts
SaveHeart Stories Episode #1
“Mommy, Am I Going to Die?”:
An Interview with Jenny Young
You met Jenny Young above, as we told you about how she and Amber Wheatley advocated in front of Wadsworth, OH City Council in support of increased access for AEDs. But there is more to her story!
Jenny was our guest on the very first episode of the SaveHeart Stories podcast, and she shares more about her son, her fears, and the actions she took to take care of both.
You can listen to the SaveHeart Stories podcast here, and wherever you stream your favorite shows.
If you’re interested in being a guest on SaveHeart Stories, please contact us- we’d love to help you tell your story!
Thank you so much for your support.
Check out the Podcast page!
From the SaveHeart Stories Blog
Will Your Athletes be Safe Outdoors this Spring?
If you’re an athletic director or a coach, you need to be prepared. It’s cold right now, but the kids are going to be heading outside very soon.
Our latest blog walks you through what can happen to your athletes if they are attacked by Sudden Cardiac Arrest, and what you can do about it when they are outside your building.
Learn More About Protecting Against Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Your Community
Visit SaveHeart.Life for more information
Or email us at
SaveHeart by HeartNation
33 Locust Road, Winnetka, Illinois, 60093, United States