One of the most notable experiences in my early career was being able to save Charlie Paite. It was early morning and, as had become routine, I was standing outside my office building with another coworker having a cup of coffee and greeting colleagues as they walked to their respective buildings. It was roughly a 1/3 mile from the parking lot to where we were standing. As the sun came up, Charlie came into focus walking toward us on his way to north cast house. Charlie was a big, boisterous guy with a smile or wise crack for everyone. Only this morning, as he approached, he seemed to be getting smaller. With each step closer, he was folding over...he was having a heart attack!!!
Charlie ended up having triple bypass surgery, a procedure that was developed through the research of the AHA. The first bypass surgery was performed in 1944 in order to save 'blue babies' born with a hole in their heart. With this heart defect, some oxygen-poor blood is pumped through the hole to the body instead of to the lungs, leaving children with blue-tinted skin due to a chronic lack of oxygen and very short lives.
Heart disease is still the No. 1 killer worldwide, and stroke ranks second globally. Even when those conditions don't result in death, they can cause disability and diminish quality of life. The American Stroke Association (ASA) is a division of the American Heart Association, and together they have a shared mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.
Be bold and help me reach my goal today!
Barbara got her morning started by tending to her pets and having breakfast with her son. They talked about the busy family plans they had for the weekend. Her husband worked out of town and would be home in just a few hours. Barbara’s phone rang.
“Hello, is this Mrs. Billingsley?”
“Your husband has suffered a massive stroke and is at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, FL. He is in emergency surgery. You should come here right away.”
On October 15th my long-time coworker received a phone call none of us ever want to get. Thanks to quick intervention and life-saving administration of medication and advanced therapy, Gary is on the long road of recovery and adaptation.
For nearly 100 years, the American Heart Association (AHA) has been fighting heart disease and stroke, striving to save and improve lives. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and stroke ranks second globally. Even when those conditions don’t result in death, they cause disability and diminish quality of life. The American Stroke Association (ASA) is a division of the American Heart Association, and together they have a shared mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.
Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville is an award-winning stroke patient care facility, awarded this honor by AHA/ASA for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. It is great place for Barbara and Gary to heal.
So, this year I walk for The Billingsley’s. Please help me raise money to enabling that life-saving research that is making a difference.
Have a heart and help me reach my goal today!
