You’ve heard her name and seen her in our photos many times throughout the years. Teigan Brown, our very first Heart Hero, is celebrating her 10th year of helping her younger peers learn the importance of knowing how to use CPR and AEDs to save lives. Teigan approached us after our second class the very first year we were teaching CPR at Marsh Creek, the year the school opened in 2014. She told us that she was CPR-certified, having taken the babysitting course that summer, and that she wanted to skip classes to come help us teach her peers CPR. What else could we say— “Yes, of course!”
For years, Teigan stood behind the podium and read her speech. Last week, Teigan bravely steppd out on to the floor and told of how knowing CPR helped give her brother a chance at survival.
Since then, Teigan has navigated asking her school administrators, teachers and —yes, her parents— for flexibility in making up missed school work each year so that she can participate in our annual three-day program at Marsh Creek. Teigan graduated from STEM with honors in 2021, and is now a junior at Muhlenburg College. Teigan took her CPR skills to the next level a couple of years ago and became an EMT. She now volunteers on her school’s emergency response team, juggling her academic and social commitments with her passion to help her community.
Just seven years ago, in a tragic, ironic twist of fate, Teigan’s younger brother Taggy suffered a life-threatening medical emergency. Teigan, at home with Taggy when he became unconscious, used her skills and called 911 immediately. Although Taggy’s fate was out of her hands, she has a sense of peace that her knowledge of CPR and the Chain of Survival helped to give him a few more hours to fight for his life.
Aidan’s Heart Foundation will always hold a special place in my heart, from helping me improve my public speaking skills and confidence to finding a healthy way to find meaning in my challenges while also serving the Downingtown community… working with AHF for the past 10 years has been a PRIVILEGE. —Teigan Brown, Heart Hero
Teigan’s passion for teaching other kids how to save a life is now stronger than ever. We are incredibly grateful to her for the many days and hours she devotes every year to helping kids learn CPR+AED. Congratulations, Teigan! We are so proud of you!