Measure in Memory of Andrew Helgeson, Who Was High School Senior When He Died from SCA on May 25, 2005
Governor Martin O’Malley proclaimed May 25, 2010 Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Awareness Day in Maryland in memory of Andrew Helgeson, who died from
sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) five years ago at age 18.
Described
as "the epitome of health," R. Andrew Helgeson was only days from
graduating from Mont Blair High School in Silver Spring, MD, and was to
pick up the school's Scholar/Athlete Award the day he died. Andrew had
a full college academic scholarship and was looking forward to playing
starting lacrosse goalie at Fairleigh Dickinson University. The first
sign that something was wrong was his death.
"It is very
important to broaden the awareness that SCA kills youth," said Rita and
Richard Helgeson, Andrew's parents. "There should be cardiac screening
for children, and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) should be
placed throughout the community. Please take an AED and CPR course. SCA
can strike anyone of any age at any time."
SAVE THE DATE: The
R. Andrew Helgeson Memorial Foundation is sponsoring the R. Andrew
Helgeson Memorial/Alumni Montgomery Blair Lacrosse game on June 4, 2010
at 6 PM. Admission is free. Donations to support SCA awareness and
donations of AEDs will be accepted.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: R.
Andrew Helgeson Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Public Charity, CFC
#23699, 301-236-0448 voice, 301-388-0963 fax, 301-704-6579 cell,
rahfoundation [at] comcast [dot] net,
www.andrewhelgeson.org.