Our unwavering commitment to young hearts
At Little Hearts Youth Cardiac Safety Foundation, we believe every child deserves a safe place to play. Discover our passion and dedication to safeguarding young athletes in sports.
Our mission
Little Hearts Youth Cardiac Safety Foundation is dedicated to protecting young athletes by increasing CPR education and access to life-saving AED machines at youth sporting events. We envision a future where every youth sporting event has trained responders and access to an AED.
Our biggest dream for little hearts
Our biggest dream for Little Hearts is to see a national standard adopted for cardiac emergency preparedness in all youth sports. We envision a future where AEDs are as common and accessible as first-aid kits at every sporting event, and every coach and parent feels confident and equipped to act swiftly in a cardiac emergency. We aim for a world where no young life is lost due to preventable sudden cardiac arrest during play.
Why this matters
When sudden cardiac arrest occurs, survival depends on immediate CPR and defibrillation. Many youth leagues unfortunately lack proper training and emergency equipment. Little Hearts is working tirelessly to change this reality, ensuring quick response is critical during sudden cardiac arrest.
"The work little hearts does is absolutely crucial for parents and coaches. Knowing that there are people dedicated to making our children's sporting environments safer gives us immense peace of mind."
A concerned parent and coach
About Ashari Hughes
Ashari was a bright, passionate, and determined young athlete whose love for flag football reflected her strength, teamwork, and joyful spirit. Tragically, Ashari lost her life due to sudden cardiac arrest during a flag football game, leaving behind a community forever changed by her loss.
This nonprofit was created in her honor to turn grief into purpose. Through awareness, education, advocacy, and support, we strive to help protect young athletes and families from the devastating impact of sudden cardiac arrest. Ashari’s legacy lives on through every life we touch, every family we support, and every heart we help protect.
“Gone too soon but never forgotten.”