From sidelines to spotlight: Texas athlete saved by CPR on college football field honored by the American Heart Association and Miss America
Chloe Burke, a former UH cheerleader, receives $10,000 scholarship and national recognition for her heart health advocacy
When Houston resident Chloe Burke, a former University of Houston cheerleader, collapsed during a college football game, her heart had stopped. She had suffered sudden cardiac arrest. Thanks to the quick action of life-saving CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), Burke survived.
Since her recovery, Chloe Burke has become a passionate advocate for heart health across Texas and is now being honored in the national spotlight. On September 5th, she was honored with the ‘Heart of an Advocate’ award at the It’s Miss America’s World Gala in Orlando, Florida. The award, presented by the American Heart Association and the Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation, includes a $10,000 scholarship and recognizes Chloe’s volunteerism and impact on heart health education, CPR awareness, and AED access.
“My journey from becoming a collegiate athlete to surviving a life-threatening heart condition and surgery where I almost lost my life on an operating table has shaped my passion for advocating for women’s heart health,” Burke said in a statement shared by the Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation. “Through my work with the American Heart Association, I’ve seen the transformative power of education and advocacy. I am committed to continuing this work, inspiring others to take action, and working toward a future where heart disease no longer holds the power to take women’s lives too soon.”
The Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation and the American Heart Association collaborate through the Go Red for Women® initiative to elevate women’s heart health, education, and advocacy. This alliance empowers titleholders and volunteers to champion cardiovascular awareness in communities nationwide. Burke has embraced the mission and through her volunteerism, she has helped bring the movement to life in Texas, inspiring others to become advocates and lifesavers in their own communities.
“Chloe Burke exemplifies the power of turning personal adversity into meaningful action,” said Mark Schoeberl, Executive Vice President of Advocacy at the American Heart Association. “Her courage and commitment inspires thousands and reflects the very heart of our mission.”
Sudden cardiac arrest affects more than 350,000 people annually in the U.S., and survival rates can double when CPR and AEDs are used immediately. Burke’s advocacy is helping close the gap in school preparedness and public awareness—especially in Texas, where efforts to expand community readiness emergency response education are gaining momentum. She has addressed the Texas Senate Finance Committee and House Appropriations Committee and visited K–12 schools statewide to promote hands-on CPR education and lifelong heart health. She also participated in the Association’s Texas Advocacy Day, joining more than 100 volunteers in support of legislation requiring cardiac emergency response plans in schools—a bill that was ultimately signed into law by the governor.
Burke has also volunteered for the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission alongside the reigning Miss Texas Sadie Schiermeyer, who was first runner-up in the 2025 Miss America competition.
Chloe Burke continues to encourage others to join the fight to save lives. Those interested can text HEART to 46839 to become an advocate through the Heart Powered Network and help ensure the next generation of lifesavers is ready to act.