ADVOCACY
A Legacy of Change
Damar’s experience with cardiac arrest sparked a global call to action, highlighting the need for every school, sports facility and public space to have AEDs to protect people from a cardiac emergency.
Working alongside the American Heart Association, the NFL and bipartisan leaders, Damar has helped drive lasting legislative change to ensure every child, coach, and educator has access to lifesaving training and technology.
In 2024, Damar took his advocacy to Capitol Hill to raise awareness of the need for lasting legislative change.
Together, Chasing M’s Foundation, the NFL Smart Heart Sports Coalition and the American Heart Association helped champion the Hearts Act, unanimously passed by Congress and signed into law by the President.
This Hearts Act establishes a federal grant program for schools to:
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Develop and implement emergency action plans
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Train students and staff for CPR and AED use
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Purchase AEDs for schools and youth organizations
THE HEARTS ACT
Becomes Law
Formed on March 27, 2023, with Damar as its ambassador, the Smart Heart Sports Coalition advocates for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based policies that will help prevent fatal outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest among high school students.
The Coalition is advocating for the implementation of three best practice policies:
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Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) at every high school athletic venue, updated and rehearsed annually.
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Accessible AEDs within 1-3 minutes of every practice or competition site.
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CPR and AED training for coaches.
For real-time updates on the Coalition’s nationwide progress, visit Smart Heart Sports.
THE SMART HEART
Sports Coalition
STATE BY STATE
Impact
Change is happening nationwide.
In 2024, Damar joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at the NFL Draft as she signed two bills into law requiring on-field emergency plans and CPR/AED training for coaches.
Across the U.S., dozens of states have enacted new laws requiring emergency response plans in schools and athletic facilities.
MULTIPLYING
Lifesavers
The American Heart Association launched the Nation of Lifesavers, inspired by Damar’s story.
As the National Ambassador, Damar is changing mindsets and making sure people learn about CPR, AEDs and how to act in an emergency.
This initiative is creating real, measurable change by:
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Training individuals in Hands-Only CPR and AED use
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Encouraging people to share CPR knowledge
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Engaging employers, policymakers and philanthropists to expand CPR education
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Strengthening emergency response systems to advocate for policy change and funding for AEDs.