Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
LAS VEGAS (Feb. 26, 2026) — The Las Vegas Raiders teamed up with the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada over the weekend to provide Hands-Only CPR and AED training for coaches, teachers, parents and youth athletes. Held during American Heart Month, the session equipped both adults and teens with critical, lifesaving skills and the confidence to respond quickly in the event of a cardiac arrest.
“The Raiders organization continues to demonstrate extraordinary leadership in protecting the health and safety of athletes and the broader community,” said Dr. Alfred Danielian, Raiders Team Cardiologist. “Survival from sudden cardiac arrest depends on preparedness. Through education, prompt CPR, immediate access to AEDs, and well-rehearsed emergency action plans, we can empower our communities to act decisively and save lives.”
Red Cross of Southern Nevada volunteers taught lifesaving skills this past Saturday at the Raiders Headquarters and Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson that can double or triple a person’s chance of survival during a cardiac arrest. The Raiders also donated automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to Nevada Youth Sports and the Vegas Sports Foundation’s NFL Flag League. Brienna Love, a heart transplant recipient, along with Enttroda and Twayne Hughes, the parents of Ashari Hughes, were in attendance to support the initiative and share their personal experiences, emphasizing the lifesaving importance of heart health awareness and emergency preparedness.
Cardiac Arrest Can Happen at Any Age
Each year, more than 350,000 people in the United States experience cardiac arrest, and about three out of four cases happen at home or at work. When the heart stops beating, every second matters. CPR helps keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and heart and can increase a person’s chance of survival, buying critical time until paramedics arrive and provide advanced care.
Cardiac arrest also affects young people. Each year, about 23,000 children under age 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital in the United States, and nearly 40% of those cases are sports related.
Compression-only CPR, also known as Hands-Only CPR, can be as effective as traditional CPR in the first few minutes of an emergency and is a skill anyone can learn. If a child or adult suddenly collapses with a cardiac arrest, bystanders should call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest.
“We know that when emergencies happen, people want to help, and Hands-Only CPR gives them a way to make a difference,” said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “Trainings like this empower people to save lives.”
Get Trained with the Red Cross
The American Red Cross offers certified training in person, online and blended formats to fit every schedule. Classes cover traditional CPR, Hands-Only CPR (chest compressions without rescue breathing) and how to use an AED, which can restart the heart and reduce the risk of serious brain damage or death. For information on available courses and to sign up, visit redcross.org/take-a-class.
The Red Cross of Southern Nevada provides free Hands-Only CPR training for schools, workplaces and community or faith-based groups. To request a presentation, visit rdcrss.org/3KdoALo.
Stay Prepared with the Red Cross First Aid App
Download the free Red Cross First Aid app for instant access to step-by-step instructions for common first aid emergencies, including CPR and AED guidance. The app is available in English and Spanish and works with Apple Watch and Android wearable devices. Search “American Red Cross” in app stores or visit redcross.org/apps.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
