10 13 26 Sudden Cardiac Awareness Month

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month
October 2026
WHEREAS, sudden cardiac arrest is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when
the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating, preventing blood from flowing to the brain
and other vital organs; and
WHEREAS, more than 350,000 adults experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year in
the United States, and survival remains low, making rapid recognition and immediate action
critically important; and
WHEREAS, sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any age, and often occurs without
warning, with approximately 70 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring in the home;
and
WHEREAS, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, can double or triple a person’s
chance of survival, and early use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, provides another
critical link in the chain of survival; and
WHEREAS, every member of our community can play a role in saving a life by recognizing
sudden cardiac arrest, calling 9-1-1, beginning CPR, and using an AED when one is available; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tolleson recognizes the dedication of our firefighters, emergency
medical professionals, healthcare partners, dispatchers, educators, community organizations,
and residents who work together to strengthen the chain of survival and improve outcomes for
people experiencing cardiac arrest.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Juan F. Rodriguez, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of
the City of Tolleson, Arizona, do hereby proclaim October 2026 as Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Awareness Month in the City of Tolleson and encourage all members of our community to learn
the lifesaving skills of CPR and AED use and to be prepared to respond during a cardiac
emergency. Through education, preparedness, and a willingness to act, we can strengthen the
chain of survival and help save lives throughout our community.
Juan F. Rodriguez, Mayor
ATTEST:
Crystal Zamora, City Clerk