CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, May 29, 2025 — The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, will present Heartsaver Hero awards to two people who stepped in to perform CPR after a high school baseball player experienced cardiac arrest during a game earlier this year. The awards will be part of festivities at a Corpus Christi Hooks baseball game June 3 to celebrate CPR and AED Awareness Week, which is June 1-7.

On March 1, 2025, during a baseball tournament at Calallen, Gregory-Portland senior outfielder Quinn Supnet suffered a rare cardiac arrest after a collision. Quick actions by Calallen athletic trainer Alex Benavides and Supnet’s aunt, Courtney Gosset were crucial in saving Supnet’s life. He was diagnosed with commotio cordis, a rare condition caused by blunt trauma to the chest. It’s the same condition that Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered during a Monday Night Football game in early 2023.

After a few days in the hospital, Supnet recovered and returned to the field. He recently graduated from Gregory-Portland and plans to study business at the University of Texas at Austin.

The American Heart Association’s Heartsaver Hero award is a way of recognizing bystanders such as Benavides and Supnet’s aunt for performing the heroic act of CPR, a critical link in the chain of survival following cardiac arrest.

“They have not only helped save a life within the community, but they are also partnering with the American Heart Association to improve the survival rate of citizens who receive bystander CPR,” said Amy Snell Canterbury, development director for the Heart of Corpus Christi campaign.

Also on June 3, the Association will teach hands-only CPR and AED instruction to Hooks fans and will give away CPR Anytime® Training Kits to the first 115 fans who receive training. The kits contain everything you need to learn the lifesaving skills of CPR, AED awareness and choking relief in about 30 minutes.

"We’re encouraging fans to take the kits home to train friends, neighbors and family members, then pass the kits on for others to learn this life-saving skill,” said Canterbury. The kits were made possible by Maricela and Dr. Rene Franco Jr., BMW of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority, Susser Bank/Corpus Christi Athletic Club.

Each year, more than 350,000 people suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the United States. Only about 10 percent of those people survive. The local training is part of the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers initiative, which aims to educate 16 million people in CPR and other lifesaving skills to improve survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest. The Association’s goal is to double the survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030. 

June 1-7 is CPR and AED Awareness Week. The American Heart Association seeks to generate awareness about the lifesaving skills of CPR, increase confidence and competence for those who have already learned CPR and increase their willingness to act in an emergency. The campaign aims to meet people where they are in their CPR education journey, preparing them to “Be Ready” to act in a cardiac emergency.

This year the Association is asking the public to join the Nation of Lifesavers by making sure at least one person in every household or family learns hands-only CPR. If called on to do CPR, you will likely be saving the life of someone you love: a spouse, parent, friend or other family member.

For additional ways to raise awareness during National CPR and AED Awareness Week, visit heart.org/nation. Nation of Lifesavers is nationally sponsored by Walgreens.

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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 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