Awards Reception in Pittsburgh October 15th to Honor Rhinebeck High School Heroes

Join Us for a Memorable Evening

In recognition of National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month (October), the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation has announced its 2009 Genesis Awards Reception, honoring the heroes of Rhinebeck (NY) High School who saved the life of Kaitlin Forbes when she suffered sudden cardiac arrest in 2005 at the age of 15. The event will take place at Hyde Park, 247 North Shore Drive, Pittsburgh, on Thursday, October 15 from 6:00­–8:00 pm. Event proceeds will support the mission of the Foundation, to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and save lives.

Sally Wiggin, WTAE TV News Anchor, will serve as emcee for the event.

Speakers include:

• Bobby Khan, MD, PhD, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, a Fulbright Scholar and Assistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at Emory University in Atlanta
• Rep. Mike Turzai, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 28th Legislative District, Pittsburgh
• Elaine Liberati, a Pittsburgh school teacher, whose daughter Annie Liberati, a graduate of Virginia Tech and a future medical student, died suddenly from cardiac arrest at age 22
• Jamie Dixon, Head Coach, University of Pittsburgh Men's Basketball Team whose sister Maggie Dixon, served as Women's Basketball Coach at the United States Military Academy until her sudden death at age 28
• Mike Piccione, physical education teacher and coach, who used the automated external defibrillator (AED) to help save Kaitlin’s life. Kaitlin, now a college student, will participate via video-conference.
• David Belkin, Esq., Board Member, who survived sudden cardiac arrest,, thanks to use of an automated external defibrillator at an elementary school in eastern Pennsylvania.

Special guests include local survivors of sudden cardiac arrest and representatives of the Pittsburgh Public Schools.

The event will feature a silent auction, with bidding from 6:00–6:45 pm. Winners will be announced at 7:30 pm. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

The locally renowned North Allegheny High School Strolling Strings will perform at the beginning of the event.

Tickets are $100 per guest. The tax-deductible portion of the registration fee is $50.

Silent auction items include a Cardiac Science AED, a Heartsine AED, a ZOLL AED, two tickets to the World Series, a foursome at Trump National Golf Club, a football signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and jewelry from Tiffanys.

To register, click here or mail your check, made payable to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, to 7500 Brooktree Rd., Suite 111, Wexford, PA 15090.

Space is limited. Reservations will be honored as received.

For information about sponsorship opportunities, see attached. To contribute to the silent auction, contact info@sca-aware.org or call 724-934-0034.

Interested parties unable to attend the event are asked to make a fully deductible gift to honor Kaitlin’s heroes or someone they know who has been personally affected by sudden cardiac arrest.

The Pittsburgh Foundation will match gifts of up to $2,500 to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation made on October 28th at 10:00 am EST through www.PittsburghGives.org. The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is a nonprofit tax exempt 501(c)3 public charity.