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.net, www.andrewhelgeson.org.