Most people who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital don't survive often because they don't receive CPR, according to the American Heart Association. To help more people recognize a cardiac emergency and know how to respond, the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) is launching Play with Heart, a monthlong, league-wide initiative encouraging fans to learn Hands-Only CPR and join the Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which intends to double survival rates by 2030.
Launching during American Heart Month, Play with Heart supports the American Heart Association's CPR awareness outreach by using MASL's national platform and each teams' regional reach to educate communities, inspire action and help save lives. Throughout February, MASL clubs will hold in-arena activations and share educational resources and public service messages encouraging fans to learn and practice compression-only CPR, known as Hands-Only CPR.
"We are grateful for efforts that help more people feel confident recognizing a cardiac emergency and taking action," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "Each year, hundreds of thousands of cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals, and immediate CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival. That's why we are committed to growing the Nation of Lifesavers, so more people feel prepared and ready to act when it matters most."
The Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, is the worldwide leader in resuscitation science, education and training, and publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR. According to Heart Association data, 9 out of every 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die, in part because they do not receive immediate CPR more than half of the time. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person's chance of survival. Hands-Only CPR can be equally effective as traditional CPR in the first few minutes of emergency response and is simple to learn: call 911 if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse and then push hard and fast in the center of the chest.
As part of the initiative, each MASL team will designate one Play with Heart game during the month. Players will wear commemorative red armbands to highlight the campaign, and eight team-signed armbands will be auctioned by the league, with proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association. Additional player-worn armbands will be distributed locally, with details shared by individual teams.
Scheduled Play with Heart games include:
- Feb. 5 — Utica City FC at Empire Strykers
- Feb. 14 — St. Louis Ambush at Baltimore Blast
- Feb. 14 — San Diego Sockers at Kansas City Comets
- Feb. 16 — St. Louis Ambush at Utica City FC
- Feb. 21 — San Diego Sockers at Tacoma Stars
- Feb. 22 — St. Louis Ambush at Milwaukee Wave
- Feb. 27 — Baltimore Blast at St. Louis Ambush
- Feb. 27 — Tacoma Stars at San Diego Sockers
"Indoor soccer is fast, physical and driven by community support — just like the response needed in a cardiac emergency," said Keith Tozer, commissioner of the Major Arena Soccer League. "Play with Heart is about helping fans understand that quick action, including Hands-Only CPR, can save a life and is simple to do."
During the campaign, MASL clubs will also spotlight heart health messaging during games, on broadcasts and across digital channels. The initiative reinforces a shared commitment to player safety, fan well-being and positive community impact — on and off the field.
Learn how to save a life in just 90 seconds. Visit heart.org/nation to join the Nation of Lifesavers.
Additional Resources:
- Available multimedia is on right column of release link
- Bystander CPR | Bystander CPR Infographic (PDF)
- Hands-Only CPR Resources
- Hands-Only CPR vs CPR with Breaths
- Women and CPR
- Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack
- Reducing Disparities for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest – Community Toolkit: English and Spanish versions available
- Take 90 seconds to learn how to save a life at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.
