The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation assisted with creation of this episode by facilitating connections with survivor Mike Papale and his mother Joan Papale, and Mike's rescuer, Bob Huebner, and by providing background information on sudden cardiac arrest for the producers.
PITTSBURGH, PA--Sudden cardiac arrest is usually caused by an electrical disturbance in the heart, and leads to a sudden loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. Nine out of 10 people who experience sudden cardiac arrest, die from it. Fortunately, star basketball player Mike Papale survived because of the quick reaction of an EMT, who immediately initiated CPR and the chain of survival. Mike and his Mom, Joan, share their story of survival and living through the aftermath of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes.
The episode will feed to PBS stations on November 16 and will also be live on the PBS website. Stations will air it at various times over the next two years.
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation serves as a resource to the PBS Second Opinion show. "I'm so grateful the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation was just a phone call away and was able to put me in touch with Mike Papale and his mother, Joan," said Fiona Willis, Second Opinion producer. "So rarely as television producers do we get to do real, quantifiable good, and learn from people like you who dedicate their lives to others makes it all that much more rewarding."
To watch the show, check with your local PBS station or watch online here beginning November 16.
Read Mike’s story here. Read Joan's story here. Read Bob's story here.
SOURCE: Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation