OKLAHOMA CITY – March 17, 2025 – The American Heart Association-OKC is inviting volunteers and athletes from around the state to its annual Oklahoma Advocacy Day, Tuesday, April 1, at the Oklahoma Capitol. This year’s event will spotlight the story of Magnus Miller and the heroic efforts that saved a young basketball player’s life during a high school basketball tournament in Mulhall, Okla.

Miller, a senior at Life Christian Academy in Choctaw, will recount the harrowing experience that unfolded Jan. 9 of this year. During a game with Dover High School, Randy Vitales, a player for Dover, collapsed on the court.

“I didn’t see Randy collapse because I was turning to dribble the ball down the court,” Miller recalls. “I heard my head coach, Tayler Burchett, screaming that Randy was ‘out.’ My first instinct was that this might be a regular occurrence, but I was terribly wrong.”

As Vitales lay unconscious, Miller quickly assessed the situation and recognized the signs of cardiac arrest. Drawing on his training as a lifeguard, Miller opened Randy’s airway, checked for a pulse and began CPR with the help of Dover coaches and other bystanders. An AED was used, and after several minutes of CPR and rescue breathing, Vitale’s heart was shocked back into rhythm.

“I was taught to never stop CPR until EMS or other trained officials arrive, so we never stopped until EMS got there about 30 minutes later,” said Miller. “

Vitale was transported to the hospital, where he made a full recovery. Miller’s quick thinking and the collective efforts of everyone involved were crucial in saving Vitale’s life.

Oklahoma Advocacy Day will feature Miller’s story as a testament to the importance of CPR training and the availability of AEDs in public spaces. The event aims to raise awareness and advocate for policies that support heart health and emergency preparedness.

More than 356,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital in the United States each year. Currently, 10% of those people will survive, most likely because there were people nearby prepared to take action. CPR, if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

It is estimated that about 23,000 children under the age of 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital annually in this country. Of those child-related cardiac arrest incidents, about 40% are sports-related. Whether in the classroom or on the playing field, having a plan in place to enable faculty, staff, and students to quickly and correctly respond to a cardiac emergency can save lives.  In schools with AEDs, approximately 70% of children survive cardiac arrest – 7 times the overall survival rate for children.

In 2024, Oklahoma passed a law requiring all public schools and school athletic facilities to adopt cardiac emergency response plans, also known as CERPs. A CERP is a written document that establishes specific steps to reduce death from cardiac arrest in school settings. The next step is to fund CERPs with the necessary training and equipment, such as AEDs

Schools are often a gathering place for community events. Parents and community members are often at schools for plays, concerts, and athletic events, so schools having a regularly reviewed and practiced plan can have a tremendous impact.

“Ensuring that schools have a comprehensive cardiac emergency response plan is crucial for the safety and well-being of our students,” said Jennifer Shoop, government relations director for the American Heart Association in Oklahoma. “Quick and effective action can make all the difference in saving a life during a cardiac emergency. We urge lawmakers to help fund these plans and provide necessary training to staff and students.”

The American Heart Association asks teachers, students, coaches, parents, and the medical community to contact their legislators to let them know this policy is a top priority for our families and community and to make sure our schools can implement these proven lifesaving plans. Learn more and get involved at yourethecure.org/cerp or text SMART to 46839.

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.

For Media Inquiries

Cyd King: cyd.king@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org