By Tara Thompson
American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region Communications Volunteer

In the realm of heart health and life-saving initiatives, the American Red Cross is actively working to empower communities through CPR/AED training. As we celebrate Heart Month and Valentine’s Day, we shine a spotlight on the organization's pivotal role in spreading love, compassion, and the knowledge that transforms everyday individuals into heroes.

CPR Trainor seeks to share the knowledge that saved her son
Brenda Hatch owns Heart Song Rescue Training, a provider of Red Cross certification courses on skills like CPR. Her story began in 1993 when she embarked on her nursing career. Little did she know that her professional path would intersect with a pivotal moment that would shape her advocacy for CPR training. It was an incident involving her own son that ignited Brenda's passion for equipping as many individuals as possible with life-saving skills.

In a reflective moment, Brenda recalls the harrowing event when her son faced a life-threatening situation. Thanks to Brenda's knowledge of CPR, she was able to intervene swiftly, giving her son another chance at life. This profound experience served as the catalyst for Brenda's crusade to ensure that others possess the same life-saving capabilities.

Find the CPR course tailored to you
As Brenda eloquently puts it, "Bad things happen so worse things don't." For Heart Month and beyond, Brenda's message resonates deeply: Get CPR certified. It's a simple yet powerful step that can make a life-saving difference in emergencies.

The American Red Cross offers CPR certification courses that equip individuals with the skills and confidence to act decisively during critical moments. The courses can be completed in-person, online, or a hybrid model dependent on your needs. Find a class near you at RedCross.org/TakeAClass.

Red Cross volunteers are also ready and willing to come to your school or organization to offer a free hands-only CPR presentation that can be tailored to the ages of the participants. Request a presentation at RedCross.org/Utah.