Colorado Advocacy Day 2025: Advocates Take Action on AEDs at Athletic Events

Jordan O’Connell didn’t necessarily want to relive the events that happened while he was on the football field, but he did it. The junior from Liberty High in Colorado Springs recognized how much his story would help inform legislators of the importance of AEDs at Colorado sporting events.

Jordan’s suffered cardiac arrest while playing football in 2023. Thankfully, his coaches started CPR and an AED was located quickly, helping to save his life.

On Tuesday, March 4, Jordan and his family were among the 60-plus advocates at the Capitol urging lawmakers to vote yes on Senate Bill 191, which will make sure Colorado high school sports events have AEDs. During the day, advocates learned about the need for AEDs to be placed near events, then spoke with their legislators. The American Heart Association advocates were joined by a number of athletic trainers and student trainers from the Colorado Athletic Trainers Association.

After advocates spoke with their legislators, they heard from Sen. Dylan Roberts and Rep. Meghan Lukens, the main sponsors of the bill. Additionally, there was a CPR/AED demonstration.

Anne Hebert, who also attended a federal lobby day to advocate for Cardiac Emergency Response Plans and AED placement, told her story of surviving sudden cardiac arrest. Ralph Maccarone of Who We Play For, shared the heartbreaking story of losing his son, Rafe, to cardiac arrest on the soccer field when teammates couldn’t get access to the AED in the school.

Overall, the Colorado AEDs Advocacy Day was a resounding success. It demonstrated the power of advocates uniting to change the future of health by speaking out and speaking up to advance policies that are improving lives and creating healthier communities.