Parent Heart Watch Launches Crimson for Kids to Protect Young Hearts from Sudden Cardiac Arrest

National campaign calls on communities nationwide to turn crimson, raise awareness, promote prevention, and prepare to save lives

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Every year, approximately 23,000 children under age 18 experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the United States.¹ Many appear healthy, and warning signs may go unrecognized before sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs.²

This October, Parent Heart Watch is calling on communities across the country to turn crimson—and turn awareness into action.

In recognition of National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, Parent Heart Watch has launched Crimson for Kids, a national campaign that educates families and communities about sudden cardiac arrest in kids and provides practical resources focused on awareness, prevention, and emergency preparedness.

“Too many families still have no idea that sudden cardiac arrest can happen to a seemingly healthy child,” said Martha Lopez-Anderson, Executive Director of Parent Heart Watch. “Crimson for Kids is about changing that. When people understand the risk, know how heart conditions can be detected, and are prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency, we have an opportunity to prevent needless deaths.”

An estimated 1 in 300 youth has an undetected heart condition that puts them at risk for sudden cardiac arrest.³ A standard history and physical can miss up to 90% of heart conditions that put young people at risk for sudden cardiac arrest.³ It is also the number one killer of student athletes and a leading cause of death on school campuses.

Importantly, sudden cardiac arrest does not have to end in tragedy. Many cases can be prevented, and when cardiac arrest does occur, being prepared can save a life. Immediate CPR combined with early use of an AED can significantly increase survival.⁴

Through the Crimson for Kids toolkit, Parent Heart Watch provides resources that parents, schools, youth sports organizations, healthcare professionals, businesses, community organizations, and media outlets can use and share. The toolkit addresses how to recognize warning signs and risk factors, the role of heart screening in early detection, the difference between sudden cardiac arrest and a heart attack, and how to prepare for a cardiac emergency with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan.

The campaign also encourages people to display, wear, and share Crimson for Kids during October as a visible reminder of the young lives at risk. Crimson for Kids garden flags, apparel, social media resources, educational materials, and other tools help communities spark conversations and share lifesaving information.

Media Can Help Save Lives

Parent Heart Watch is urging media outlets nationwide to help bring sudden cardiac arrest in kids into the public conversation during October.

Media outlets can support this effort by sharing Crimson for Kids resources, highlighting local stories and prevention efforts, educating audiences about warning signs and risk factors, and directing families and organizations to information about heart screening and cardiac emergency preparedness.

“A story that reaches a parent, coach, teacher, healthcare professional, or community leader can prompt a heart screening, help ensure that an AED is available when needed, or teach someone what to do if a child suddenly collapses,” Lopez-Anderson said. “That is the power of awareness. The media can bring this lifesaving information to people we may never reach on our own.”

Learn more and access the Crimson for Kids toolkit at:
parentheartwatch.org/crimson-for-kids/.

Prevent. Prepare. Protect.

About Parent Heart Watch

Parent Heart Watch is the leading national voice solely dedicated to protecting children and young adults from sudden cardiac arrest through education, early detection, emergency preparedness, and advocacy for policy change.

MEDIA CONTACT
Parent Heart Watch
Martha Lopez-Anderson
martha@parentheartwatch.org
800.717.5828
parentheartwatch.org

SOURCES

¹ Okubo M, Chan HK, Callaway CW, Mann NC, Wang HE. “Characteristics of paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the United States.” Resuscitation. 2020;153:227–233.

² Warneryd A, Chand S, Lemma A, Lopez-Anderson M, Flanagan LJ, Naim M, Vetter VL. “A Parent Survey: Characteristics of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Youth.” Journal of Pediatrics: Clinical Practice. 2026;20:200208.

³ Harmon KG, Zigman M, Drezner JA. “The Effectiveness of Screening History, Physical Exam, and ECG to Detect Potentially Lethal Cardiac Disorders in Athletes.” Journal of Electrocardiology. 2015;48(3):329–338.

⁴ Atkins DL, Acworth J, Chung SP, Reis A, Van de Voorde P. “Lay rescuer use of automated external defibrillators in infants, children and adolescents: A systematic review.” Resuscitation Plus. 2022;11:100283