Two students in Washington to champion health and well-being as national Youth Heart Ambassadors

American Heart Association youth volunteers from Tacoma and Arlington will support programs that raise awareness of heart and brain health, and Hands-Only CPR education, in schools

SEATTLE, Aug. 27, 2025— With youth facing growing physical and mental health challenges nationwide[1], the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health of all, has selected a fourth grade student at Fife Elementary and a fifth grade student at Lakewood Elementary School to serve as two of 15 national Youth Heart Ambassadors for the 2025-26 school year. Nine-year-old Charlotte Littleton of Tacoma, Wash. and 10-year-old Lucy Irvin of Arlington, Wash. will work closely with the American Heart Association’s school based programs – Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™ – to inspire their peers to build lifelong healthy habits and learn lifesaving education, all while helping others. 

Littleton was inspired to apply for the national Youth Heart Ambassador role because her family has been personally touched by heart disease and she has a strong desire to give back. She recruited her family to work alongside her during the school year to maximize impact. Littleton’s mom Melissa is serving as a campaign manager, twin brother Christian is her official videographer, brother Mason is her finance director and brother Ryan is her social media manager. Littleton has set a goal to raise $18,180 for the American Heart Association, $101 for each day of the school year and in honor of the American Heart Association’s 101^st year. Littleton wants to use her voice to increase awareness of healthy lifestyle choices, specifically in the areas of nutrition and physical activity, and use the experience to build leadership and public speaking skills that will serve her into the future.

Similarly, Irvin also has a family connection to heart disease which fueled her desire to serve as a national Youth Heart Ambassador. Irvin and her mother Sarah have discussed the importance of taking care of your heart, especially if you have a family history of heart disease. Irvin is looking forward to sharing with students her message of, “it’s never too early to think about heart health.” A former teacher also introduced Irvin to a baby that was born with a special heart and that teacher and baby fueled her passion to do her best during their school’s Kids Heart Challenge campaign.

The American Heart Association accepted nominations nationwide from young people who have been affected by heart disease or stroke. Youth with a personal diagnosis, a family history of cardiovascular disease, or a passion for leading a heart-healthy life were encouraged to apply for the Youth Heart Ambassador role. Ambassadors will serve a one-year commitment as a volunteer of the American Heart Association and use their voices to encourage, advocate and emphasize the need to raise critical funding as they share the impact cardiovascular disease has had on their life. 

“These students are truly amazing,” said Susie Woo, M.D., FACC, cardiologist and board president, American Heart Association, Washington. “We know that the early years can play a vital role in developing health-related behaviors.  By encouraging their peers to think about heart-healthy choices now, these ambassadors instill a culture of health that can be carried into adulthood and make a real difference in the prevention of heart disease and stroke. We are all excited to see the impact Charlotte and Lucy will have this school year and are cheering them on.” 

The Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge are dynamic service-learning fundraising programs that teach students how to improve their overall health while making a positive impact on others. Backed by science, the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge teach students how to care for their hearts, minds and bodies through age-appropriate lessons and activities. These programs encourage students to get active, build confidence and support the Heart Association’s work to fund lifesaving research and education around heart disease and stroke prevention, cardiac emergency preparedness and more. 

Schools can register now to take part in the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge programs for the 2025-26 school year. More information about the Youth Heart Ambassadors can be found at heart.org/youthambassadors. 

Additional Resources:

• Multimedia is available on the right column of release.

###

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. In Washington, visit heart.org/Washington, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X.

For Media Inquiries:

Valerie Koch: valerie.koch@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org