New Mexico CPR Advocacy Day 2025

Students from Health Leadership High School in Albuquerque led the way in demonstrating hands-only CPR outside the rotunda area of the New Mexico Capitol in Santa Fe on Feb. 18, 2025.

The youth were then asked to do a demonstration for the staff of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and met with several legislators and one of Grisham’s cabinet members.

The youth were among about 25 advocates on hand for New Mexico CPR Advocacy Day and helped advocate for Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in schools. About a dozen CPR kit stations were set up for attendees and others at the Capitol. Additionally, Sen. Pete Campos and Rep. Pamelya Herndon carried proclamations in the Senate and the House, respectively, declaring Feb. 18 as CPR Day at the Capitol.

Ray Henderson, a former American Heart Association board member and retired high school teacher, shared his story, highlighting the importance of the issues at hand. His wife performed CPR on him for 45 minutes before help arrived. An AED was used to resuscitate him.

Overall, the New Mexico CPR 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.