Our Mission
We are committed to providing awareness, education, and support to the communities of southeast Pennsylvania and its surrounding areas to prevent and respond to Sudden Cardiac Arrest in youth.
Our History
Aidan’s Heart Foundation aims to change how communities prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest in youth. By providing education, training, and life-saving tools, we empower communities to protect every young heart. Join us in building a future where no child is lost to SCA. Working together to create heart-safe communities filled with hope and action.
Founded in 2010 by Christy Marshall-Silva after the sudden and unexplained passing of her 7-year-old son, Aidan, the foundation began as a mission to raise awareness about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in youth. What started with a single memorial event quickly evolved into a community-wide effort to prevent tragedies like Aidan’s.
In the years since, Aidan’s Heart Foundation has grown into a recognized leader in youth heart safety across southeastern Pennsylvania.
Under Christy’s continued leadership, the foundation has:
Trained over 11,000 youth in CPR and AED use through peer-to-peer programs.
Provided hundreds of free heart screenings, identifying undetected cardiac risks in children and teens.
Placed AEDs in schools, athletic facilities, and youth organizations, ensuring lifesaving tools are within reach when it matters most.
Advocated for critical state legislation, helping lead efforts behind bills like House Bill 1685 and Senate Bills 512 and 513 to require AEDs and emergency planning in schools.
Today, Aidan’s Heart Foundation partners with schools, legislators, EMS professionals, and student leaders to build heart-safe communities through education, early detection, and empowerment. The foundation’s programs continue to expand—led not only by adults, but by a growing network of students trained to teach, lead, and advocate in Aidan’s memory.
What began with heartbreak now beats with hope. Every screening, training, and AED placement is a step toward a future where no family loses a child to SCA.
