Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivors Help Focus Attention on Thousands of Needless and Preventable Deaths Each Year
SAN DIEGO--To
mark the 50th Anniversary of the discovery of Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation(CPR), 50 cardiac arrest survivors along with rescuers and
CPR instructors, were brought together at a special event yesterday in
Sea World, to focus on the heroism of the citizens who provided CPR and
saved them from an otherwise likely death. Sponsored
by the Citizen CPR Foundation (CCPRF), the "50th Anniversary Gala &
Survivor Dinner" was held as part of the CCPRF's Emergency
Cardiovascular Care Update (ECCU) conference and spotlighted the power
of citizen action. 
About
300,000 people suffer SCA each year in the U.S. alone. In most
communities, fewer than eight in 100 survive. Three times that number
could live with prompt bystander CPR, early defibrillation, and advanced
care offered by paramedics and specialized hospital units.
The 50 survivors represented living proof that CPR performed by 'ordinary' citizens, can save lives. Here are some of their stories:
- Carleton Smith – At the age of 64, Carleton felt healthy and fit and was running the Boston Marathon when he suddenly collapsed. His son Jimmy and another citizen bystander saved him during the race.
- Kinlee Ryne Keltner – At the age of 2, Kinlee slipped into a pool and drowned within seconds. Kindle was rescued and saved by her grandfather and father.
- Matthew Nader – At the age of 17, Mathew was an otherwise healthy high school athlete who collapsed at a high school football game. His parents who were on the sidelines watching the game saved Matthew.
The
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation sponsored David Belkin, Esq., SCA
Survivor and Member of the Foundation Board's of Directors, as one of
the 50 survivors participating in survivor events at ECCU. To read
David's story, click here.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation Co-Hosts Survivor Workshop
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation co-hosted, with the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, a workshop for survivors, their families, and healthcare professionals during the ECCU conference. Speakers included Ben Abella, MD, MPhil, of the University of Pennsylvania; Bobby Khan, MD, PhD, Immediate Past Board Chair of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation and Director of the Atlanta Vascular Research Foundation; Lisa Levine, of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association; Vince Mosesso, MD, of the University of Pittsburgh; and Eva Serber, PhD, of the Miriam Hospital and the Warren Alpert Brown Medical School. Dr. Serber's presentation focused on "Living and Loving Life after Sudden Cardiac Arrest."
To view workshop presentations, information, click here.
To read additional survivor stories, click here. To view survivor videos, click here.