World Restart a Heart Day: Hartsville High School receives Cardiac Emergency Response Plan to support Smart Heart Act
October 19, 2026
American Heart Association to Strengthen Cardiac Emergency Readiness in Schools
The American Heart Association presented a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) to Hartsville High School made possible through funding provided by Sonoco Products Company. The presentation recognized the community partnership aimed at improving emergency response preparedness in schools.
The donation will help support Hartsville High School’s preparedness for cardiac emergencies as schools across South Carolina implement the Smart Heart Act, legislation aimed at improving emergency response through cardiac emergency plans, CPR training and access to lifesaving resources.
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere and often without warning. A Cardiac Emergency Response Plan establishes clear procedures for responding to a cardiac emergency, helping schools prepare staff and students to act quickly when every second counts.
“At Sonoco, we are committed to investing in the health and safety of the communities we serve,” said James Harrell, president of the Global Industrial Paper Packaging Division and 2026 chair of the American Heart Association’s Pee Dee Heart Walk. “By supporting Hartsville High School’s Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, we are helping ensure students, teachers, staff and the families who make up our workforce and community have a stronger foundation for responding to a cardiac emergency. We are proud to support the American Heart Association to help create safer schools.”
Following the presentation, participants took part in a Hands-Only CPR demonstration highlighting the importance of bystander intervention during a cardiac emergency. Immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival after cardiac arrest.
“With South Carolina schools required to implement Cardiac Emergency Response Plans under the Smart Heart Act by the start of the 2027-2028 school year, the American Heart Association encourages school leaders and community partners to act now. By establishing and practicing emergency response plans, expanding CPR training and ensuring access to AEDs, schools can be better prepared to respond to sudden cardiac arrest and improve the chances of survival for students, staff and visitors,” said Don Bockoven, American Heart Association – Midlands and Pee Dee board chair and CEO of Darling Fibers.
To learn more about the Smart Heart Act and how to be prepared to respond in a cardiac emergency, including learning Hands-Only CPR, visit heartpowered.org and heart.org.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
