When healthy hearts fail, field hockey player Madison Falkowski wants to be ready to help

Madison Falkowski is pictured near an AED at Greater Nanticoke Area High School.

Madison Falkowski is an ambitious 14-year-old Greater Nanticoke Area High School field hockey player, who prides herself on not only promoting her own accomplishments, but also the accomplishments of her fellow field hockey teammates and opponents.

Her dedication to sport extends beyond the field. She has a passion to learn life-saving skills, which is why she joined Huddle for Hearts in the Fall of 2025.

“I just want to have the ability, if there ever is an isolated situation, I can be an option,” Madi said about knowing what to do in the event of anyone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

Her conviction is a feeling of responsibility to take care of others around her, especially student athletes.

“When you think about it, you think student-athletes are built to handle whatever,” she said. “We should be safer than most from SCA. You wouldn’t think it was the No. 1 killer of student athletes. It would seem like someone who isn’t active is more at risk.”

Madi said her high school field hockey coach inspires her to place importance on her overall health.

“I’m definitely still learning a lot about sudden cardiac arrest,” Madi said. “I’m learning about the symptoms and signs, and that going to doctor appointments is important, as well as staying active and healthy. Diet, hydration, and rest are so important, so you don’t burn yourself out. Your body is going to get tired, and we need to support what our bodies need.”

Becoming a coach in the future is an interest to Madi.

“My high school coach is a triathlete and super involved with stuff like Huddle for Hearts,” Madi said. “I want to be able to help and have a team of others around me who also know what to do. That would be amazing.”

Madi is hosting an indoor field hockey tournament on Sunday, March 8 at Surge Training Facility. Visit her Huddle For Hearts campaign page to learn more about supporting her efforts to raise funds to purchase an AED for her field hockey club.