CPR Awareness & Community Preparedness Initiative

Empowering communities with the knowledge and confidence to save lives.

Black women are more likely to die from sudden cardiac arrest outside a hospital setting.

Immediate CPR can double or triple survival rates!

Saving a life should never depend on race, gender, or assumptions.

Black women are less likely to receive bystander assistance, including CPR, during cardiac emergencies. This disparity can mean the difference between life and death. Communities with fewer CPR training opportunities often see lower intervention rates. By increasing CPR awareness and training, we can empower more people to respond confidently and help save lives.

Why This Matters

When someone experiences cardiac arrest, the first few minutes are critical. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.

Yet research shows that Black women are among those least likely to receive CPR from bystanders during a cardiac emergency.

This initiative was inspired by the loss of Alberta Wicks, whose cardiac arrest highlighted the urgent need for greater CPR awareness and community preparedness.

Our Mission

  • Expand CPR and AED awareness in communities
  • Increase access to lifesaving training
  • Encourage workplaces and community groups to host CPR education
  • Empower everyday people with the confidence to act in emergencies

Cardiac Arrest Facts

  • 356,000 cardiac arrests occur each year in the &S.
  • Immediate CPR can double or triple survival chances
  • Nearly 90% of cardiac arrest victims do not survive without immediate intervention
  • Brain damage can begin within 4–6 minutes
  • Emergency responders often arrive in 8–12 minutes

These statistics highlight the critical role that bystanders play in saving lives.

Yet, disparities exist:

  • Black and Hispanic individuals are less likely to receive bystander CPR
  • Women are less likely than men to receive CPR in public settings
  • Only about 40–46% of adults report knowing how to perform CPR

Be Prepared—Because Every Life Matters!

Learn Life-Saving Skills and Earn Your Certificate

How You Can Help Save a Life:

  •  Learn Hands-Only CPR & AED Response

  • Know where AED devices are located. Encourage CPR training in your workplace or organization

  • Share awareness in your community

To learn more or schedule a training session: Contact Making A Difference Foundation

📞 Phone: 253-212-2778
📧 Email: info@themadfseattle.org
🌐 Website: www.themadf.org

Brought to you by:

Ahndrea Blue of Making A Difference Foundation & Andrea Wicks-Hardy

www.themadf.org | www.savelives.black

In loving memory of
Alberta Wicks