News

For Immediate Release

June 4, 2026

400 BYSTANDERS TAKE PART IN HANDS-ONLY

CPR TRAINING IN OUTFIELD AT FENWAY PARK

Red Sox Foundation and American Heart Association host first of its kind large-scale lifesaving training during National CPR and AED Awareness Week

BOSTON, MA — The Red Sox Foundation and the American Heart Association (AHA), devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, hosted the first large-scale Hands-Only CPR training in Major League Baseball history at Fenway Park on Thursday, June 4, transforming the outfield into a lifesaving training ground for 400 participants.

Following the Red Sox-Orioles game, youth athletes, coaches, educators, healthcare advocates, and community leaders gathered in the outfield to participate in an immersive Hands-Only CPR training designed to equip bystanders with the confidence and skills to respond during a sudden cardiac arrest emergency. The event, held during National CPR and AED Awareness Week, highlighted the critical importance of CPR education and reinforced the vital role bystanders play in improving survival outcomes during cardiac emergencies.

Earlier in the day, the Red Sox Foundation and American Heart Association hosted a panel discussion focused on heart health, emergency response preparedness, and the importance of bystander intervention. The discussion, moderated by Dr. Jennifer Ashton, physician, nutritionist, Founder of Ajenda- a multimedia women’s health and wellness company, and Board Member of the American Heart Association, featured Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association; 2018 Red Sox World Series Champion Brock Holt; Angel City FC defender Savy King; Keith Reynolds, Vice President & General Manager, Public Safety at ZOLL Medical Corporation; and local survivor and lifesaver duo Marc Henderson and Jim McQuade.

“At the Red Sox Foundation, we believe strengthening our communities means investing in the health, safety, and well-being of the people who call them home,” said Bekah Salwasser, Executive Director of the Red Sox Foundation and Executive Vice President, Social Impact, Boston Red Sox. “Providing access to lifesaving education like Hands-Only CPR is one of the many ways we work to create lasting impact beyond the ballpark. We’re grateful to the American Heart Association for their collaboration in bringing this important initiative to life, and to ZOLL Medical Corporation for their generous support and donation efforts that help advance emergency preparedness in our communities. Bringing 400 people together at Fenway Park to learn these critical skills reflects our commitment to empowering individuals to step in during an emergency and help save lives.”

“We are deeply grateful to the Red Sox Foundation for their extraordinary leadership in bringing this lifesaving effort to Fenway Park. By uniting hundreds of people on the field during National CPR and AED Awareness Week, this effort not only raises awareness but equips individuals with the confidence to act when every second matters,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “Events like this remind us of the power of community – when bystanders are trained and ready, they can turn a critical moment into a lifesaving one. Together, we are building a nation of lifesavers and advancing our shared commitment to longer, healthier lives.”

“Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, and survival often depends on whether someone nearby is prepared to act in those first critical minutes,” said Dr. Jennifer Ashton, physician, nutritionist, Founder of Ajenda- a multimedia women’s health and wellness company, and Board Member of the American Heart Association. “Expanding access to CPR education is one of the most important ways we can strengthen public health and save lives. Seeing hundreds of people gathered across the Fenway Park outfield learning these lifesaving skills sent a powerful message about the impact communities can have when education, awareness, and action come together. In five minutes, anyone can learn CPR. In minutes, anyone can be a hero and save a life.”

“ZOLL is proud to serve as the Official AED Provider of Fenway Park, where any given game may bring together more than 38,000 potential rescuers in the stands,” said Keith Reynolds, Vice President & General Manager, Public Safety at ZOLL Medical Corporation. “When sudden cardiac arrest occurs, bystanders are often the first and most critical link in survival. Immediate CPR matters, and AEDs can help guide ordinary people to act with confidence and precision in those life-saving moments. We hope the Boston Red Sox’s commitment to CPR education and AED readiness serves as an example of preparedness for stadiums, parks, and communities everywhere. Because when it comes to cardiac emergencies, every second matters. At ZOLL, our message is simple: Anything Can Happen. Anyone Can Help.”

According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival, yet many bystanders do not feel prepared to intervene during an emergency. Hands-Only CPR, which consists of calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest, is an easy-to-learn skill that can help save lives.

–RED SOX–

About the Red Sox Foundation

The official team charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Red Sox Foundation has awarded more than 7,000 grants since its creation in 2002 and focuses on making a difference in the lives of children, families, Veterans, and communities in need by improving their health, education, and recreational opportunities. Through core partnerships with best-in-class organizations in healthcare, the Red Sox have helped raised over $190 million for cancer treatment and research for The Jimmy Fund, supported more than 50,000 Veterans and their families suffering from the “invisible wounds of war” with the Home Base Program, and helped the Dimock Center serve over 20,000 patients annually with health and human services. The Foundation’s self-run, direct-service education and youth baseball and softball programs have helped 385 Boston Public Schools students with college scholarships and promotes healthy choices and valuable life skills to more than 1,500 youth annually through its Nike RBI baseball and softball program in Boston, Chelsea and Lawrence.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Red Sox Foundation raises funds through special events, corporate sponsorships, and grants. Founded and initially funded by Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry, Chairman Tom Werner, the late Larry Lucchino and their partners, the Red Sox Foundation has won numerous awards for the impact of its innovative programs. In 2010, the Foundation’s Red Sox Scholars program was recognized by Major League Baseball with the first-ever “MLB Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic Excellence.” In 2009, the Red Sox Foundation was honored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Sports Philanthropy Project with the Patterson Award as the nation’s “Best Team Charity in Sports.”  For more information about the foundation, visit redsoxfoundation.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 one hundred 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, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.