Youth Heart Ambassadors: A Growing Movement for Cardiovascular Health
Across Illinois, and nationwide, a new wave of health advocates is emerging: student leaders championing cardiovascular health. The American Heart Association (AHA) has selected six students from Illinois as Youth Heart Ambassadors for the 2025-2026 school year, joining a larger cohort dedicated to promoting healthy habits and life-saving skills within their schools and communities.
The Rise of Youth-Led Health Initiatives
This initiative reflects a broader trend of empowering young people to take ownership of their health and the well-being of those around them. Recognizing the increasing physical and mental health challenges facing youth, the AHA is strategically investing in student leadership. These ambassadors – Benjamin Dawes, Dolce Drummer, Alice Ivy Cinco, Declan McNellis, David Skelley, and Elias Tarkowski – will collaborate to support the AHA’s Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™ programs.
These programs, implemented in over 20,000 schools across the US, focus on teaching students how to care for their heart, mind, and body through age-appropriate lessons and activities. The emphasis extends beyond physical health to include emotional well-being and the importance of preventative measures.
Hands-Only CPR: A Key Focus
A critical component of the Youth Heart Ambassador program is the promotion of hands-only CPR. This simplified CPR technique, requiring no mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, is designed to empower more people to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies. The AHA previously installed a hands-only CPR kiosk at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago in 2017, making it the first hospital in the nation to offer this resource onsite.
Pro Tip: Learning hands-only CPR can dramatically increase the chances of survival for someone experiencing cardiac arrest. Resources are available on the American Heart Association website.
The Impact of Personal Connection
The selected Youth Heart Ambassadors were nominated based on their personal connection to heart disease or stroke, whether through their own experiences or those of loved ones. This personal connection fuels their passion and commitment to the AHA’s mission. The AHA has provided funding for four studies at Lurie Children’s Hospital, demonstrating a commitment to scientific innovation in cardiovascular health.
Expanding the Reach: School Programs and Community Engagement
The AHA’s school programs are designed to be scientifically-backed and engaging, encouraging students to stay active, build self-confidence, and support the AHA’s life-saving research and education efforts. Schools interested in participating can register now for the 2025-2026 school year. Nominations for future Youth Heart Ambassadors are accepted year-round at heart.org/youthambassador.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Youth and Heart Health
The American Heart Association’s investment in youth leadership signals a long-term strategy for promoting cardiovascular health. By empowering young people to become advocates and educators, the AHA is fostering a generation committed to preventative care and emergency preparedness. Lurie Children’s Hospital has contributed over $1 million to American Heart Association campaigns, including CycleNation, Health Equity in the Workforce initiatives, the Chicago Heart Ball, and the Heart Walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Kids Heart Challenge? It’s a program that teaches students how to be physically and emotionally healthy while raising funds for the American Heart Association.
- How can schools get involved? Schools can register to participate in the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge on the AHA website.
- What is hands-only CPR? It’s a simplified form of CPR that involves chest compressions only, without mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
- Who can nominate a Youth Heart Ambassador? Nominations are accepted throughout the year via the AHA website.
Did you recognize? Heart disease and stroke are the #1 and #5 leading causes of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association.
Learn more about the American Heart Association’s work and how you can get involved at heart.org. For media inquiries, contact Jorie Goins at [email protected].
