Local Teen Hockey Player Raises Awareness About Sudden Cardiac Arrest

14-year-old Madison Falkowski organizes field hockey tournament to support Huddle for Hearts campaign

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Madison Falkowski, a 14-year-old field hockey player from Greater Nanticoke Area Senior High School, is turning her passion for sports into a mission to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest. She has partnered with the Peyton Walker Foundation's Huddle for Hearts campaign and organized a school-age field hockey tournament to support their efforts to improve survival rates in young athletes and donate automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to youth sports organizations.

Why it matters

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in young athletes, often striking those who appear to be the healthiest. By raising awareness and providing access to life-saving AED devices, the Huddle for Hearts campaign aims to prevent these tragic deaths and ensure young athletes are prepared to respond in an emergency.

The details

Madison Falkowski, a 14-year-old field hockey player, has organized a school-age field hockey tournament at the Electric Surge Field Hockey Club in Kingston, Pennsylvania to support the Huddle for Hearts campaign. The campaign was started by the Peyton Walker Foundation after Peyton, a physically fit and active 19-year-old student at King's College, died from sudden cardiac arrest in her dorm room. The tournament will provide basic CPR training and raise funds to donate AEDs to youth sports organizations, including Electric Surge Field Hockey Club.

  • The field hockey tournament took place this past weekend.
  • The Peyton Walker Foundation started the Huddle for Hearts campaign after Peyton's death in 2014.

The players

Madison Falkowski

A 14-year-old field hockey player at Greater Nanticoke Area Senior High School who has organized a tournament to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and support the Huddle for Hearts campaign.

Peyton Walker

A 19-year-old student at King's College who died from sudden cardiac arrest in her dorm room, inspiring the creation of the Peyton Walker Foundation and the Huddle for Hearts campaign.

Peyton Walker Foundation

A non-profit organization founded after the death of Peyton Walker that works to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and provide life-saving resources like AEDs to youth sports organizations.

Bill Odoms

A CPR instructor who guides the student-athletes through basic CPR training using an AED as part of the Huddle for Hearts campaign.

Daniel Falkowski

Madison Falkowski's father, who has been supportive of her efforts and helped the tournament grow into a larger event.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of people think that athletes because they are so fit, it won't happen to them, but it actually is more likely because of the stress on their heart, so just being able to like if that were to happen on the field, support your fellow athletes because even if you're competitors you're all still playing for the same thing.”

— Madison Falkowski, Field Hockey Player

“So, the parents took it upon themselves to take that tragedy and try to help other families from incurring that same tragedy.”

— Bill Odoms, CPR Instructor

“We got interest from the older folks, older teams that they wanted to do an open division so it ended up being a 2-day event.”

— Daniel Falkowski, Madison's Father

“My dad has been with me through everything, so you know, he's been so supportive of this, and he's always been there for me, so it's nice having him alongside me for this.”

— Madison Falkowski, Field Hockey Player

What’s next

The Peyton Walker Foundation plans to continue partnering with youth sports organizations to donate more AEDs and expand the Huddle for Hearts campaign to reach more communities.

The takeaway

This story highlights the importance of raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, especially among young athletes, and the life-saving impact that access to AEDs and CPR training can have. By turning her passion for sports into a mission to protect her fellow athletes, Madison Falkowski is making a meaningful difference in her community.