Every year, Champions of the Heart gathers Michigan’s community to celebrate something remarkable—the moments when preparation meets crisis, and ordinary people do extraordinary things. At our 2026 Annual Gala on June 9 at the Breslin Center, we are proud to honor three individuals whose stories remind us exactly why this mission matters.

Heart Survivor Honorees

Alyssa Atkinson — Allen Park, Michigan

On March 12, 2025, 14-year-old Alyssa Atkinson was doing warm-up laps at track practice at Allen Park High School when she suddenly collapsed. She had gone into sudden cardiac arrest with no prior warning signs—no history of heart problems, no red flags on her annual sports physical.

Her next memory was waking up in a hospital surrounded by her family.

What happened in between is a testament to trained, prepared coaches. Two Allen Park track coaches immediately began CPR and deployed an AED, restoring her heart rhythm before EMS arrived. “Those critical seconds changed my life, my daughter’s life, and it saved her life,” said her mother, Kelly Dolan.

Alyssa is recovering at home and is grateful simply to be alive. Her story is a powerful example of what Champions of the Heart trains communities to do—and why it matters.

Trenton Cooper — Cedar Springs, Michigan

At just 23 years old, Trenton Cooper was living a full life—coaching basketball at Cedar Springs High School and working with students in a special education program. Then, at the end of December, he started feeling run down. What seemed like a bad cold quickly became something far more serious.

Cooper’s heart was failing. He was diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy—a condition in which a virus attacks the heart muscle. His heart fell into a near-constant dangerous rhythm, and doctors placed him on ECMO life support. “I accepted I was about to die,” Cooper recalled.

Less than two weeks after being placed at the top of the transplant list, a match was found. Trenton received a new heart at Corewell Health, where he spent 28 days total. Two months after his transplant, he was back on the court playing recreational basketball.

“I appreciate everything a little bit more,” Cooper said. “The power of people and prayer is, I think, the strongest thing in the universe.”

Read Trenton’s story here.

Lifesaver Honoree

Judge Herman Marable, Jr. — Flint, Michigan

Most people would keep driving. Judge Herman Marable, Jr. did not.

In October 2025, the Genesee County District Court judge was circling a block in New York City looking for a parking spot when he noticed a man collapsed on a Brooklyn sidewalk. Gia, a visitor from the country of Georgia, was suffering a medical emergency. His companions were frantically trying to flag down help while passersby walked on.

Judge Marable stopped his car in the middle of the street, got out, and started CPR—drawing on a course he had taken as a 12-year-old. He stayed until emergency services arrived. Gia survived.

“He just stopped the car—he doesn’t park or anything—he just pulled out and started to help us,” said Lasha, who was traveling with Gia.

Back home in Flint, Judge Marable has since proposed CPR training for all Genesee County court employees. His story is a reminder that the skills taught in a single CPR class can stay with you for a lifetime—and that when the moment comes, what you know can mean everything.

Join Us to Honor Them

These three honorees—Alyssa, Trenton, and Judge Marable—represent something Champions of the Heart believes deeply: that survival should never be a matter of chance. When communities are trained, equipped, and ready to act, lives are saved.

We hope you’ll be there to celebrate them. The 2026 COH Annual Gala takes place on June 9, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan. Learn more about the gala on our website and register today.