Archive - Mar 2008

Mike Papale – Wallingsford, CT – 17 at the time of the event (August 24, 2006)

I have no recollection of the day that changed my life forever. I’ll only be able to tell the stories that I’ve heard. People have told me to play the Lotto because there was a one in a million chance that I would survive. Although I’ve had many experiences that I will never forget, I will never remember the day that my 17-year-old body went into cardiac arrest.

David Belkin – Bethesda, MD – 65 at the time of the event (February 18, 2007)

I am a recent survivor of SCA (sudden cardiac arrest). Interestingly enough, I just came from my first visit with my electrophysiologist and when I referred to SCA, he looked puzzled. I said it referred to sudden cardiac arrest. He said he knew it as SCD or sudden cardiac death. I think his thinking is indicative of most people, including professionals, because most people do not survive my experience. I survived because there was an AED in place at the elementary school where I had my SCA.

March 29, 2008­–CHICAGO, Il–If the date of a loved one’s passing is approaching, beware. The anniversary of the death of a close family member, especially a mother or father, is a significant trigger for Sudden Death (SD), especially in men, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology’s 57th Annual Scientific Session. Understanding the triggers of SD—death that is unexpected and occurs rapidly, frequently within one hour of the onset of symptoms and usually due to lethal arrhythmias—may help researchers discover ways to anticipate and prevent premature loss of life.

Karen Etheridge, Brandon, MS – 40 at the time of the incident (September 29, 1995)

Karen Etheridge wasn’t having much luck in the Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg, Mississippi on Sept. 29, 1995. So, deciding to cut her losses and go home, she sat down while husband John went to cash in what was left of their chips.

That action came horrifyingly close to becoming a metaphor as Karen’s luck turned even worse in the next few minutes.

“I jumped up,” she said, relying on second-hand accounts to relate the incidents of which she herself has no memory, “I grabbed my chest and fell down.”

Fortunately, there was an automated external defibrillator (AED) on the premises.

H .R. “Butch” Gibbs – Humeston, IA – 55 at the time of the event (April 2, 2004)

Gene Johnson, New Brighton, MN – 63 at the time of the incident (September 11, 2002)

On the first anniversary of the most tragic event our nation has ever experienced, Gene Johnson of New Brighton, Minnesota, nearly suffered his own personal tragedy—he almost lost his life.

March 26, 2008–PITTSBURGH­–The SCA Foundation has established an annual award program to honor "ordinary" people with extraordinary heroic spirits who help save the lives of victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The People Saving People awards will recognize members of the public whose lifesaving actions have made the difference between life and death for SCA victims.

The purpose of the program is to increase awareness about the critical need for laypersons to be prepared to intervene in sudden cardiac emergencies.

Awards include:

First place: One (1) automated external defibrillator (AED), which may be donated to the organization of the winner’s choice;

Second place: Free admission to the Emergency Cardiac Care Update, sponsored by the Citizen CPR Foundation, June 13-15, 2008, Las Vegas;

It was June 6, 2005 and hairdresser Lisa Byers, 41, was giving a skin care presentation to women at an insurance agency in Temple, Texas. “Suddenly I sneezed and I just did not feel well. I excused myself, flipped out of my chair and just fell over,” she said.

There was an automated external defibrillator (AED) on the premises but meeting participants did not feel comfortable using it. They called 9-1-1 and paramedics arrived seven minutes later. After four shocks, she was resuscitated. They brought her to nearby Scott White Memorial Hospital.

March 25, 2008­–SCA Foundation­–If legislative activity in the New York State Assembly related to the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is any indication, there is growing awareness here that victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) deserve ready access to this lifesaving treatment. At least 15 laws and one administrative code addressing AED training and use have been enacted by the NY state legislature. In addition, 27 bills are pending.

Legislative efforts to save SCA victims began in New York 10 years ago, with an amendment in 1998 to NYS Public Health Law Article 30/3000-B. This legislation authorized Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) programs and encouraged greater acquisition, deployment and use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in communities statewide.

Since then, AED programs have been mandated in the following locations:

Paul Hamel, 68, was simply trying to support the American Heart Association’s 2001 “Heart Walk” fundraiser in Texas. He had no idea what was about to unfold.

Since he had taken a stress test and had been cleared by his physician two weeks before, he figured it would be okay to run—rather than walk—to the finish line. And so he did.