Simple Change in CPR Procedures is Saving Lives

Not long ago, the American Heart Association changed it's recommendations regarding the administration of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).  Are you updated?  Read here for more info on how the change is helping people save victims of SCA:

Today's News-Herald - Serving Lake Havasu City & The Lower Colorado River Area

Aidan Stops Traffic in PA

On a highway somewhere in the Harrisburg area

As part of a national campaign to raise awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in youth,  Parent Heart Watch is posting pictures of kids who have died from or survived SCA throughout the country.  Aidan appears on three of these roadside billboards in the Harrisburg area.

Please support PHW, if you haven't already through our 5K efforts.  This is a tremendous campaign to spread the word of SCA in youth to the general population.  We're still accepting contributions online and via mail at 5K for Aidan J./PHW, P.O. Box 72258, Thorndale, PA  19320. 

And the testament to the tremendous courage of the PHW community to put our kids out there in the hopes that parents everywhere start making changes in their families and communities when it comes to keeping their kids' hearts safe.

Map of Aidan's 3 billboard locations

PA in the News: The First Step in Making SCA a Household Term

The Silva family was there! 
Pictured with State Rep. Mike Vereb (left) and Gov. Tom Corbett

Simon's Fund and Norristown's Representative Mike Vereb started it, and many PA SCA families, along with the national Parent Heart Watch organization, can claim some of the high-fives from the results of their efforts.

On May 30th, Pennsylvania became the FIRST STATE to require mass education among coaches, athletes, and their families regarding the warning signs of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.  While many cases of SCA occur without warning, as with Aidan, equally as many happen after warning signs have been ignored.

Read here to learn more about what's happening in our state-- and will soon be coming to yours!

Will the U.S. Catch Up to European and Olympics Standards (in protecting young hearts)?

Are we on the verge of adding a 10-minute heart screening to routine athlete health screenings?  This article from the medical community sheds some interesting light...

Europe does it.  The Olympics standards require it.  Why don't we???

Postnote:  Italy started requiring heart screenings as part of the routine athletic screening in the 1990s.  Since then, deaths among athletes due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest have decreased 89%.  Eighty-nine percent.  Quote me on that; I'm too lazy to list the citation right now, but I can dig it up (anyone can Google it)-- crazy, right?

We're moving forward!!!

On June 18th Christy and I met with the East Brandywine Youth Association (EBYA) General Board and made our pitch to try to get AEDs in place for our local sports league.  The board met our presentation with great enthusiasm and they are interested in purchasing AEDs hopefully starting in the upcoming fall season! 

Last night I met with the East Brandywine Township Parks and Recreation Board and not only are they supportive of our efforts, they would like to see the AEDs externally mounted so that all residents can have access to them!  Needless to say, Christy and I are thrilled at the progress here in East Brandywine.  Lots of logistics still need to be worked out, but there is a common purpose among all involved and we are so happy to live in a community that wants to keep its youngest residents safe.  As more details unfold we'll post again.  Until then, Happy Independence Day!  Stay safe.  Love to all!