To spread CPR and AED awareness, the Spencer Davis Foundation is hosting its inaugural “Save a Heart” baseball classic this weekend with the Altoona Curve at Peoples Natural Gas Stadium.

Last September, Hollidaysburg sophomore Spencer Davis was hit during a normal after-school football practice. The impact caused Spencer to go into sudden cardiac arrest.

With the help of nearby coaches and trainers, Spencer regained a pulse after 15 minutes of hands-

only CPR and an AED. They were able to keep Spencer stable until EMS arrived.

“The situation was a prime example that training is still valuable,” Altoona Curve general manager Nate Bowen said. “If (the coaches) didn’t have that training, he would most likely not be around today.”

Coming home from UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh a week later, Spencer was diagnosed with commotio cordis, the same medical condition NFL player Damar Hamlin was diagnosed with after collapsing during a football game in January 2023.

Less than a year following Spencer’s sudden cardiac arrest, he has returned to playing basketball and baseball, according to his father, David Davis.

“He has made a full recovery,” Spencer’s mother, Jen Davis, said. “He’s doing really well.”

Spencer’s story doesn’t stop there — he and his parents wanted to help the people who will experience a sudden cardiac arrest in the future, which led to the creation of the Spencer Davis Foundation.

Since January, the nonprofit foundation has been raising funds for schools, first responders and community establishments to have access to proper emergency equipment including CPR and AED training.

“Our ultimate goal is to have one person CPR trained in each household,” Jen said.

Not only has the foundation trained coaches, athletes and community members, but they have been advocating for life-saving laws, too.

David said the Spencer Davis Foundation has been working with the Greg Moyer AED Fund to advocate for House Bill 375, which requires easily accessible AEDs, venue-specific emergency plans for all Pennsylvania schools and CPR certification for coaches.

“It’s been passed in the House and the Senate, and it is now waiting to be signed by the governor,” Jen Davis said.

The baseball classic this weekend will offer hands-only CPR training to “anyone who walks in the door,” she said.

Bowen said preparing more groups for emergency situations will help them “prevent serious consequences” of unexpected moments both on and off the field.

To help the foundation purchase AEDs for in-need facilities, the event will also include a basket raffle, T-shirt sale, vendors and concessions.

The Davises hope the foundation will create awareness beyond Blair County, with this fundraiser being the beginning of that journey.

“Spencer’s love is baseball,” David Davis said. “We have been very grateful to celebrate with him that he’s still here today and give back to the community.”

The games are set to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 12, and 10 a.m. Sunday, July 13. All proceeds will go to the Spencer Davis Foundation.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.