Advocate Spotlight: Sarah Kay Wrenn

After losing someone close to sudden cardiac arrest, Sarah Kay Wrenn became passionate about helping others learn the lifesaving skills that can make all the difference in an emergency. As Miss South Carolina, she used her platform, Heart Strong: Empowering the Next Generation of Lifesavers, to educate students and communities about CPR, AEDs, and heart health. At the same time, she was serving as a School Engagement Director for the American Heart Association, working directly with schools across South Carolina.

Through her work in schools and communities, she knew how important it is to be prepared before a cardiac emergency happens. When the Smart Heart Act was introduced in the state legislature, she saw an opportunity to help schools across South Carolina prepare to save a life in a cardiac arrest She testified before lawmakers, shared her story, and worked alongside volunteers from around the state to advocate for the bill’s passage.

Through her advocacy experiences, she saw firsthand how personal stories can help move issues forward and bring people together around a shared goal. Her advice for new advocates is simple: “You don’t have to be a policy expert to make a difference. Your voice truly matters, and you never know whose life could be changed because you chose to speak up.”