Mark Storace, Rocklin, CA – 46 at time of event (2007)

It was just another Tuesday afternoon in August. I am lucky enough in my job to be able to telecommute from home once a week. It was a fairly busy day taking conference call meetings and working on project tasks.

Scott Berens, Austin, TX – 27 at time of event (2008)

 Scott has the nickname ironman because he was continually partaking in extreme sports and athletic activities. Well, Scott can now truly live up to the name; he has a bionic addition. It was not by choice, and might even cramp his style a little, not that he would willingly let that happen of course. You see he recently had an ICD fitted under his pectoral muscle. It is there to protect him from another cardiac arrest. He is one of the lucky few to have survived his first one.

Cathy Hall, Ontario, Canada– 44 at time of event (2005)

In an effort to prevent a hotel reservation penalty, Cathy lived to actually stay in hospital. She had a terrible ache in her jaw and wanted to cancel the business trip. However the hotel would not accept the late cancellation. Cathy is so very glad her economic conscience forced her to attend the conference, because they had a defibrillator in that government building. Her intention to save her employer a hotel charge ended up saving her life instead!