9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital die. In most of those cases, bystander CPR was not performed. On February 6th, 2025, that almost happened to me. I suffered sudden cardiac arrest at work and fortunately one of my co-workers quickly discovered me and initiated CPR. Through the quick actions of fellow members of the Twinsburg Police Department, members of the Twinsburg Fire Department, and staff of the Cleveland Clinic Twinsburg Emergency Department, I survived.
My life changed in an instant. My co-workers exprienced an almost tragedy of losing one of their own. My family almost lost a husband, father, son, brother. I can' really explain how I feel today but a lot has changed. I am so thankful to still be with my family. To be celebrating the Risen Lord. To be breathing. To have a beating heart.
I never thought about the American Heart Association before but now I have been suddenly thrust into its sphere of influence. I'm a survivor. I have so much to be grateful for. The AHA is an organization that ensures more and more people end up like me, able to continue their lives.
I hope to raise money now and in the future for the American Heart Association to continue to save lives.