Many newspapers ran stories about the first annual National CPR/AED week. Congress set aside the first week in June to spotlight how lives can be saved if more Americans know CPR and how to use an AED (a defibrillator).

Now we have many stories of the tragedy of a high profile public figure struck down by cardiac arrest that may have been prevented through the availability and use of an AED. Details may be forthcoming, but the story so far is that Tim Russert did receive bystander CPR, but no defibrillation until the EMTs arrived some minutes after his collapse. This is all too common a situation and causes hundreds of deaths per day across the country.

Could Tim’s demise help us to save someone else? It’s all too easy, Call 9-1-1, and start CPR. Ask someone to get an AED, and then use it. They are simple and safe, even a child can do it.

Jeremy has published a book called A Heart Too Good to Die - A shocking story of Sudden Cardiac Arrest This suspenseful true story of modern day reanimation shares the shock and grief of life's fragility. It also describes, in layman's terms, the medicine of survival and the miracles required. It is an enticing and easily read story of a serious medical emergency, covering the emotions and issues of sudden cardiac arrest as well as providing relevant factual/clinical details. Foreword by David. A. Rubin, M.D., Clinical Professor of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. www.heart2good.com Some of the praise received so far...