Cheyenne CPR advocate heads to D.C. to push for lifesaving legislation
CHEYENNE, WYO., Oct. 24, 2025 —Toni Decklever, MA, RN, will travel to Washington, D.C., Oct. 27-28 to urge Congress to fund the lifesaving HEARTS Act — legislation designed to ensure every school is prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency. She will join the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, and advocates from across the country as part of the American Heart Association’s Heart Powered grassroots advocacy network.
On Capitol Hill, Decklever and fellow advocates will share their personal stories and call on lawmakers to fund the HEARTS Act through the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process — turning lifesaving legislation into lifesaving action. The law, passed unanimously in 2024, created a grant program at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help K–12 schools:
- Train students and staff in CPR
- Purchase and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
- Develop cardiac emergency response plans
The program also supports research into cardiomyopathy and other conditions that cause cardiac arrest in youth.
For Decklever, the mission is professional and personal. With more than 35 years of experience teaching CPR and First Aid, she serves as coordinator for CPR Plus, one of Wyoming’s American Heart Association Training Centers. She leads efforts to certify healthcare professionals, educators and community members in lifesaving skills — and has previously advocated for a CPR training requirement in Wyoming high schools.
“Survival from cardiac arrest shouldn’t depend on luck or location,” said Decklever. “When people are trained and AEDs are within reach, a life that could have been lost becomes a life saved.”
Each year, more than 356,000 people in the U.S. experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, including more than 23,000 children. Every minute without CPR reduces the chance of survival by 10% — but quick action can double or even triple survival rates.
The American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative aims to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. In Wyoming, advocates like Decklever are helping build a culture of preparedness through community training and school-based education.
“By funding the HEARTS Act, Congress can help build a Nation of Lifesavers — one student, one school, one community at a time,” said Chris Turner, SouthWest region grassroots manager for the American Heart Association. “This investment will ensure more people are ready to act in every classroom, school gym and hallway across the country.”
Advocates across the country can join the effort by texting ‘AED’ to 46839 to urge Congress to fund the HEARTS Act.
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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, Facebook or X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries
Cyd King: cyd.king@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
