To raise awareness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the American Heart Association and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), a relentless force that is changing the future of health for everyone around the world, today announced the 2026 Nation of Lifesavers™ NWSL Ambassador Class during National CPR and AED Awareness Week, held annually June 1-7.
The NWSL Ambassador class brings together players from all 16 clubs to unite in a commitment to promoting life-saving CPR education and empowering communities to act in moments of crisis.
The effort, led by Angel City FC defender and CPR survivor Savvy King, reflects a league-wide effort to turn awareness into action. Ambassadors support the American Heart Association’s call to learn CPR by amplifying public service announcements, participating in social media campaigns and attending local educational events throughout the season.
The members of the 2026 NWSL Nation of Lifesavers Ambassador Class are:
- Angel City FC – Kennedy Fuller and Sabie King
- Bay FC – Emmy Allen and Tess Bode
- Boston Legacy FC – Hannah Stambaugh
- Chicago Stars FC – Elise Evans
- Denver Summit FC – Megan Reed
- Gotham FC – Sarah Szpanski
- Houston Dash – Paige Nielsen
- Kansas City Current – Rose Water
- North Carolina Courage – Riley Jackson and Dani Weatherholt
- Orlando Pride – Allie Lemos
- Portland Thorns FC – Shea Harvey
- Racing Louisville FC – Savannah DeMello
- San Diego Wave FC – Kennedy Wesley and Kiki Pickett
- Seattle Reign FC – Kathy Miller
- Utah Royals FC – Curry Leal and Alex Lorrea
- Washington Spirit – Gabriel Carle
If someone suddenly goes into cardiac arrest, immediate CPR can be the difference between life and death. Thanks to the leadership of NWSL and Savvy King, we are very pleased to welcome this class of NWSL players to use their powerful platform to encourage everyone everywhere to be ready for action. At the American Heart Association, our efforts are focused on improving bystander CPR rates, and these inspiring athletes are helping to build a nation of lifesavers. ”
Nancy Brown, CEO, American Heart Association
As part of an initiative between the NWSL, the Heart Association and Sabie King’s foundation, Sabie King of Hearts, all 16 NWSL teams this season hosted Heart Association-led hands-only CPR education sessions to equip NWSL players and staff with the skills needed to act in the event of a cardiac emergency. King has joined the Heart Association and will participate in future hands-only CPR sessions with the league’s front offices.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said, “Sabie is an extraordinary example of resilience, leadership and purpose, and her drive to turn her personal experience into something that can save lives is incredibly inspirational.” “What makes this effort so powerful is that our players have come together to support her and use their platforms for something bigger than the game. We are proud to partner with the American Heart Association and see this group of ambassadors lead the way in educating and empowering communities across the country.”
According to the American Heart Association, more than half of victims of sudden cardiac arrest outside the hospital do not receive immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, leading to a 90% fatality rate. But learning Hands-Only CPR takes just 90 seconds and doubles or triples your chances of survival.
“The sudden cardiac arrest experience changed my life forever, but it also showed me what an impact one prepared person can have in an emergency,” said King, an Angel City FC defender, sudden cardiac arrest survivor, and founder of Savy King of Hearts. “I’m here today because people acted quickly and because lifesaving resources were available when I needed them most. Through my partnership with Save King of Hearts, the American Heart Association, and the support of the NWSL and my fellow players, we We’re working to educate more people about CPR and help them feel empowered to intervene in a time of need. By sharing my story, if I can encourage even one person to learn CPR, we can save lives. Together, we can build a nation of lifeguards.
The American Heart Association is the world leader in CPR, publishing the official CPR guidelines and creating resuscitation science, education, and training for more than 60 years. Nation of Lifesavers is the latest group to demonstrate its commitment to CPR education and support of the association’s goal of doubling out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030, with a focus on expanding CPR education, increasing access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and building confidence to act in an emergency.
Committed to changing the future of health for all, the American Heart Association and NWSL have already partnered in other ways starting in 2023 as part of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, and are one of the founding members of the initiative, which was first established by the National Football League. The coalition is actively advocating for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based public policies to prevent the deadly consequences of cardiac arrest in high school students. According to the American Heart Association, more than 23,000 children under the age of 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year, with about 40% of those occurring among student-athletes. It is the leading cause of death for student-athletes nationwide.
Nearly three out of four out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home, so knowing how to perform CPR is critical. If a teen or adult collapses, witnesses should immediately call 9-1-1 emergency services and begin chest compressions to a depth of approximately 2 inches at a rate of 100 to 120 beats per minute. Hands-only CPR is CPR that uses only chest compressions. Learn CPR today. Visit www.heart.org/nation.
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