Sumter Palmetto Tennis Center to serve as a hub for expanded hands-only CPR education

The American Heart Association, devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, donated a Hands-Only CPR training kit to Sumter Palmetto Tennis Center, helping bring lifesaving skills to tennis and pickleball players, coaches, families and community members across Sumter County.

The donation supports the association's Nation of Lifesavers movement, a nationwide initiative focused on doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by empowering more people to respond confidently in an emergency. As outdoor sports and summer activities increase, the need for quick action during a cardiac emergency becomes even more important.

Every year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital in the United States. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival, yet many people hesitate because they do not know what to do.

"These CPR kits are about empowering our community with confidence and knowledge," said Cindy Froman, operations manager of Palmetto Tennis Center. "The core values of the City of Sumter are invest, invite, serve. At Palmetto Tennis Center, we try to embody these values through community outreach. Having these kits will give us the opportunity to teach more than tennis as we reach out. Having more individuals trained in Hands-Only CPR could truly save lives. We are proud to work with the American Heart Association to make this training accessible for families and athletes throughout Sumter County."

The kits provide simple, easy-to-follow instructions designed to teach Hands-Only CPR skills in just minutes, allowing participants to practice chest compressions and learn how to respond until emergency responders arrive.

The donation also comes on the heels of South Carolina's passage of the Smart Heart Act, legislation aimed at strengthening cardiac emergency preparedness in schools across the state. The law highlights the growing importance of CPR education and emergency response readiness in communities statewide.

"The Nation of Lifesavers movement is rooted in one simple goal of making sure at least one person in every household knows CPR," said Roy Creech, former Sumter Heart Walk chairman and co-founder of Creech Schwartz Wealth Management. "When more people are trained and prepared to act, entire communities become safer. Meg and I are honored to support this effort and help expand lifesaving education here in Sumter."

The American Heart Association encourages everyone to learn the two simple steps of Hands-Only CPR: call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest until help arrives.

To learn more about CPR education and the Nation of Lifesavers movement, visit the American Heart Association at heart.org.

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 100 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, on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.