Alabama Nurses Foundation Hands-Only CPR Initiative Trains More Than 3,500 Across Alabama

The Alabama Nurses Foundation’s (ANF) statewide Hands-Only CPR initiative is proving to be a lifesaver — literally. Just months after announcing grant funding for community organizations to expand CPR training, ANF’s partners have already trained more than 3,500 Alabamians in lifesaving techniques.

Grassroots Reach Across Communities

Three grantee organizations — Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. (Epsilon and Kappa Phi Chapters) and the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention Nurses Guild (ASMBC-NG) — led sessions at churches, community centers, health fairs, senior centers, and civic events from Tuskegee to Florence to Birmingham.

• Epsilon Chapter (Tuskegee): Trained and educated more than 500 participants across churches, senior centers, and community health fairs. Many participants were African American women over 40, a group disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease. The chapter reported strong participant feedback, with attendees saying they felt “empowered to act” if faced with a cardiac emergency.

• ASMBC Nurses Guild (statewide): With four regional “wings,” the guild reached more than 800 participants across board meetings, fundraising events, and church health fairs. Ages ranged from 10 to 80+, with the majority being African American individuals aged 50–80. One training at Elizabeth Baptist Church alone brought in 200 participants

• Kappa Phi Chapter (Florence/Shoals): Despite being a small chapter of just eight active members, Kappa Phi reached more than 200 people at eight large-scale events — including the Northwest Alabama African American Heritage Festival and a Juneteenth Breakfast — while also sparking interest in nursing careers among participants

Building Skills and Confidence

Across all three groups, outcomes went beyond numbers. Participants reported increased confidence in recognizing cardiac arrest, calling 911, and delivering immediate CPR until help arrives. The initiative also strengthened partnerships with schools, fraternities, sororities, churches, and civic organizations — laying the foundation for ongoing CPR education and awareness.

Looking Ahead

With hundreds more community events planned for the remainder of 2025, ANF and its partners remain on track to surpass the original goal of training at least 1,000 people per site by June.

“Our investment is already paying off in healthier, safer communities,” said Dr. John Ziegler, Executive Director of ANF. “Every person trained represents a life that could be saved in a moment of crisis. That’s the kind of lasting impact nursing leadership can deliver.”

For more information about the Alabama Nurses Foundation and how you can support nursing excellence across Alabama, visit alabamanursesfoundation.org — and don’t forget to show your support on the road with a Nurses Save Lives car tag.