Advocate Spotlight: Beckett Moore

From the Sidelines to the Capitol: Beckett Moore’s Journey from Survivor to Advocate

When 14-year-old Beckett Moore collapsed on his high school football field in Austin, no one could have predicted the incredible journey that lay ahead. What began as a terrifying cardiac arrest during football practice has transformed into a powerful story of survival, resilience, and advocacy.

Beckett was gearing up for his first season as a defensive end when his heart suddenly stopped. Thanks to the heroic actions of Jaime Perez, an athletic trainer who performed CPR for more than 20 minutes, Beckett’s life was saved. Doctors later installed an internal defibrillator to protect his heart from future misfires, though the exact cause of the arrest remains unknown.

Now 15, Beckett hasn’t let the experience slow him down. He’s turned his energy toward something bigger: making sure other kids have the same chance he did. Alongside his parents, Beckett volunteers for the American Heart Association and has become a passionate advocate for CPR and AED access in schools. During the last legislative session, he spoke at the Texas Capitol—advocating until nearly midnight—for the passage of the Landon-Payton Act, a bill designed to protect thousands of young lives. That bill was signed into law by Governor Abbott this summer, requiring all Texas public schools to have a lifesaving Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) in place.
“I was lucky. Really lucky. That’s the only reason I’m alive today,” Beckett told the House Public Education Committee. “But we can’t go on hoping that luck will save us. We need schools to help protect us – and for that to happen, we need Texas to step up.”

Beckett’s story has already made waves. He was honored at the American Heart Association’s Austin Heart Ball earlier this year, standing alongside changemakers and community philanthropists. A personal video he created for the Association’s Texas social media became one of the most engaging reels of the year – a reminder that our voices can spark real momentum.

Outside of his heart health impact, Beckett is enjoying being able to be a normal teenager again. He loves stage theatre and is currently pursuing more on-stage opportunities. Beckett and his family travel whenever possible – his current favorite destination is Italy – and focus on experiencing life as much as they can.

Beckett has done more than survive – he’s become a force for change, helping drive the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association forward. And he’s just getting started.