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Jessica Pegula has endorsed the lifesaving HEARTS Act, inspired by the Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, which was unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate. Pegula's billionaire parents, Terry and Kim, own the franchise for which Hamlin plays, having done so since 2014.
The HEARTS Act, which stands for Health Education, Awareness, Research, and Training in Schools, is a bipartisan bill led by Damar Hamlin and Senator Chuck Schumer. It will provide grants to schools for purchasing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), CPR training, and developing cardiac emergency response plans. The bill is currently awaiting President Joe Biden's signature to become law.
On Saturday, Pegula shared a post made by the Buffalo Bills on her Instagram stories. The post quoted Damar Hamlin and Terry Pegula’s statements about the HEARTS Act. Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a game in January 2023, had his life saved by the quick response of the team's athletic trainers and other first responders. Since recovering and returning to the starting lineup, Hamlin has dedicated himself to promoting CPR training and AED accessibility to prevent fatalities in communities. He was quoted as saying:
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“From schools to ball fields, this new law will help provide access to AEDs and education to teach CPR in schools. I'm proud and humbled that my experience has led to this moment, and this opportunity to protect kids across the country.”
Jesica Pegula’s father Terry also supported the grants for AEDs in schools, stressing their importance in emergencies.
“Grants to schools for AEDs will ensure that students, staff, and families have access to critical resources when every second counts. Our team has experienced first-hand the impact of these lifesaving measures with Damar Hamlin and Kim Pegula. This bill will make Western New York, and communities around the country safer, and ultimately save lives,” Terry Pegula said.
Jessica Pegula paid tribute to Damar Hamlin with her tennis outfit after his cardiac arrest
When Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during the Buffalo Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Jessica Pegula was playing at the 2023 Australian Open. After her second-round win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich, she was asked about the No. 3 tag on her skirt during an on-court interview. She explained that it was a tribute to Hamlin.
“One of the football players obviously had a really tragic accident, it’s just trying to show some support and bridge Australia and Buffalo, New York, which is strange, but trying to bridge those worlds together,” Pegula said.
Jessica Pegula had an impressive 2024 season. She successfully defended her Canadian Open title by defeating Amanda Anisimova in the final. She also won the German Open after she outclassed Anna Kalinskaya in the final. Pegula also reached the first Grand Slam final of her career at the US Open but was defeated by Aryna Sabalenka.
