Awareness Months

Throughout the year, Guardians of the Heart activates youth and communities around national cardiovascular awareness months, turning statistics into stories and stories into action. These efforts not only raise public awareness but also equip young people with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to lead change where they live, learn, and grow.

American Heart Month is a time when the spotlight turns to the leading cause of death in the United States: heart disease. At Guardians of the Heart, we use February to challenge the misconception that heart health only matters later in life. Our youth chapters step up as educators and advocates, hosting school-wide heart health weeks, community expert panels, and tabling at health fairs with heart-month-themed materials and giveaways designed to spark curiosity and conversation.

We also launch social media campaigns, distribute easy-to-understand resources on cholesterol, blood pressure, and healthy eating, and collaborate with local partners to provide free screenings. Every activity is designed to engage youth where they are—whether in classrooms, on TikTok, or in their communities—with content that’s both educational and entertaining.

February also includes National Wear Red Day, held annually on the first Friday of the month. We encourage students, educators, and community members to wear red in solidarity to honor those affected by heart disease and raise visibility for the importance of prevention.

Together, these efforts make February a launchpad for lifelong habits, with youth leading the way toward a more heart-conscious culture.

February - American Heart Month

Four women standing in front of a red screen displaying a welcome message for a 2025 Westchester Event and Fair with American Heart Association and Go Red for Women branding. They are dressed casually, with some wearing red or heart-patterned clothing, and are smiling. To the right, there are red balloons tied together.
Elegant banquet hall decorated for a formal event with round tables covered in white tablecloths, red and black chair covers with scarves, wine glasses, and Napkins, set to host guests, with a stage and artistic backdrop in the background.

In October, our attention turns to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), a condition that can strike unexpectedly and without warning, even and particularly among young people. SCA is the leading cause of death on school campuses, yet many schools are unprepared to respond. That’s why our October campaign focuses on building cardiac emergency readiness through CPR and AED education.

Guardians of the Heart hosts interactive CPR and AED use demonstrations and advocates for stronger emergency response protocols in schools and sports programs. We also engage with local officials to push for equitable access to AEDs and mandate Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs). Youth members learn both how to save lives and how to influence policy, reduce stigma, and ensure their peers are protected and prepared whenever and wherever they may be.

October - Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month

A group of students participating in a CPR training class with a mannequin on a table, guided by an instructor.
Group of five people standing together in a lecture hall, with clear masks, smiling. Behind them are empty wooden steps and a few other individuals, some seated and some standing, and a mannequin for CPR training on the floor.

Join Us!

Want to launch your own campaign at your school? Organize a CPR event? Host a heart health day or lead an awareness week?

We'd love to connect.