Stephen Theall has been named winner of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation’s 2025 “People Saving People Award” for helping save the life of Heather Freligh on September 22, 2023. The announcement and award presentation took place at the Citizen CPR Foundation’s Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit in Phoenix, Arizona. The purpose of the award is to highlight the critical need for laypersons to take charge and help save lives in sudden cardiac emergencies.
Sudden cardiac arrest affects about 1,000 people in community settings every day in the U.S. On average, only 10 percent of victims survive. Yet, when bystanders act quickly and decisively by calling 911, starting CPR, and using the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED), survival rates can double or triple.
Two years ago, Heather Freligh, a then 13-year-old student and basketball player from Tracy, California, experienced a sudden cardiac arrest while sitting in her classroom at Art Freiler Elementary in Tracy, California. She collapsed during a math test, and her friends immediately called 911. Principal Stephen Theall, who had recently completed CPR training, arrived within minutes and began life-saving CPR. After four AED shocks, Heather’s heartbeat was restored, and she was airlifted to University California San Fransico Children’s Hospital. Stephen’s rapid response and calm actions saved Heather’s life, allowing her to receive an ICD and make a full recovery.
Since her survival, Heather has become a passionate advocate for heart health, sudden cardiac arrest awareness, and CPR/AED education. Heather credits Stephen Theall’s actions on that day as the reason she is alive to pursue her advocacy and leadership work, and she nominated him for the “People Saving People Award” in recognition of his extraordinary life-saving response.
Both Stephen and Heather attended the awards ceremony. Stephen will also receive an AED donated by SCAF partner, Defibtech.
We extend our congratulations to Stephen on receiving this award, as well as all the 2025 People Saving People nominees!
Watch Stephen's acceptance speech below.
After returning from the CASSummit, Stephen and Heather were interviewed by their local news, Fox KTVU. Watch the interview here.