Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation Among Participating Organizations
PITTSBURGH--The University of Pittsburgh basketball program hosted the Maggie Dixon Heart Health Fair Sunday as part of Pitt’s Homecoming and 225-year celebration. The Fair included free blood pressure and health screenings and educational heart health displays, including CPR-AED demonstrations by the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, a national nonprofit organization based in Pittsburgh. Live coverage was provided by 93.7 The Fan, Pittsburgh Sports Radio.
This was the fourth time the health fair was held in Pittsburgh. Jamie Dixon, Head Coach of the Men’s Basketball Program, and his family started the fair in memory of his sister, Maggie Dixon. Maggie was a vibrant, passionate and successful head coach of the Army Black Knights women’s basketball team. In 2006, she guided her team to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Just weeks later, she died suddenly due to a heart arrhythmia. She was only 28 years old.
“Maggie’s Legacy” is highlighted in You Can Save a Life on Campus, a new publication by the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, targeted to higher education. Today all Pitt basketball players, coaches, athletic trainers and managers are trained in CPR-AED use, and all athletes undergo heart screening.
“Getting CPR-AED programs on campus is a great place to start,” says Coach Dixon, who serves as Honorary Chairman of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation Board of Directors. When they graduate, “Students can take their knowledge forward to the places they work and to their communities. It’s a great way to spread the message and get it to grow.”
For additional photos, visit www.facebook.com/youcansavealife. For more information about the higher education campaign, click here.