Oklahoma advocates bring personal stories to Capitol Hill to push for lifesaving school CPR legislation
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 24, 2025 — Three Oklahomans with powerful personal stories are heading to Washington, D.C., Oct. 27-28 to urge Congress to fund the HEARTS Act — legislation designed to ensure every school is prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency.
Deshawn Caldwell of Tulsa, Cheri Shepard of Oklahoma City and Magnus Miller of Norman will join the American Heart Association and advocates from across the country as part of the Association’s Heart Powered grassroots advocacy network.
On Capitol Hill, the trio will share their experiences 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 Deshawn Caldwell, the mission is deeply personal. A former high school athlete and recent graduate of Oklahoma State University, Caldwell survived a sudden cardiac arrest thanks to quick action and CPR. Since then, he has become a passionate advocate for CPR education and emergency preparedness in schools.
“I’m alive today because someone knew what to do,” Caldwell said. “The HEARTS Act ensures that more schools have the tools and training to save lives. Every student deserves that chance.”
Cheri Shepard’s advocacy began after the sudden loss of her husband, former NFL player Derrick Shepard, who died of cardiac arrest in 1999. She has since dedicated herself to promoting CPR training and AED access in schools and serves on the American Heart Association-OKC board of directors.
“I lost my husband far too soon, and I’ve made it my mission to help prevent other families from experiencing the same heartbreak,” Shepard said. “The HEARTS Act is a critical step toward making our schools safer for every child, teacher and coach.”
Magnus Miller, now a freshman at the University of Oklahoma, was a high school student and trained lifeguard when he saved the life of an opposing player during a game by performing CPR and using an AED. His heroic actions earned him the American Heart Association’s HeartSaver Hero Award and a platform to advocate for stronger emergency response plans in schools.
“I didn’t expect to use my CPR training on the court that night, but I’m grateful I had it,” Miller said. “Every student and staff member should be prepared to act in a cardiac emergency. The HEARTS Act can make that a reality.”
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.
“Survival from cardiac arrest shouldn’t depend on luck or location,” said Chris Turner, regional grassroots lead for the American Heart Association. “When people are trained and AEDs are within reach, a life that could have been lost becomes a life saved.”
The American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative aims to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. In Oklahoma, advocates are working to ensure every school is equipped with the tools and training needed to respond in an emergency.
“By funding the HEARTS Act, Congress can help build a Nation of Lifesavers — one student, one school, one community at a time,” said Turner. “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 a 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.
For Media Inquiries
Cyd King: cyd.king@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
