Whose Life Will You Save?
Every single day, we save lives.
Many of them, by helping people live healthier lifestyles — and avoiding certain kinds of cardiovascular disease.
And many, by direct intervention, by saving them from heart attack, arrhythmia or other life-threatening conditions.
Each of those people has a story. You can learn them through the links below.
Do you have a survivor story to tell? Contact us and we’ll help you spread the word … and save a life.
It was 2:30 in the morning when Don Sprague told his wife Mary he wasn't feeling well. When arm numbness joined the pressure in his chest, Don and Mary made the decision to drive to the hospital. Almost an hour had passed. Upon arrival at the hospital, Don was given an EKG and told he was having a heart attack. Don states, "I felt like I was in shock. Doctors came in to talk to me twice and I don't even remember. Thank God my wife Mary was with me. She was able to answer their questions and truly was my advocate."
When Mary shares her memories of the fateful night from a few months ago, she states, "God's hand was present." As retired police officers, their immediate response to the crisis was to take business into their own hands and just "get to the hospital." However, Mary learned from hospital personnel that the better course of action would have been to call 911. When the 911 system is activated for a cardiac emergency, a cardiac team is on-hand to meet the ambulance versus having to wait precious moments for a cardiac team to assemble.
Although Don's situation had a positive outcome, it is best not to take the chance. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911.
One day, Ken found himself feeling uncomfortable and short of breath. With a family history of heart disease, he decided not to take any chances and immediately went to the doctor's office. Once there, he was quickly transported to the hospital. He was having a heart attack.
Her son was four and her daughter fourteen when Paula had her heart attack four years ago. She has since then learned that she has Prinzmetal's angina. At 46 years of age, Paula jokes that she takes more medication than her parents.
Ethan was born with four life-threatening congenital heart defects that were undetected during normal infant check-ups. As a first-time mom, Stasi wanted to trust the advice of experts, but listened to her instincts despite suggestions of being overzealous. Her heart was confident that her son was battling something more than colic.
Like most people, Jamie always thought pacemakers “were for much older people.” Even after suffering two fainting spells at home, she never dreamed that she would have a pacemaker implanted at the young age of 29.
Dave was running on the track at a local middle school and felt a severe pain in his back behind his shoulder blade. Since he has had back issues in the past, he called Dr. Kehres to see if he could help alleviate the pain.
Ashley and Brian Klee experience the joy of a miracle every time they hold their two-year-old daughter Myla. It was just over a year ago when they were told their little girl had only a 10-15% chance of living.
Gene was training for the CRIM 10 mile race and started to experience shoulder pain while running. As it became more frequent, he started to worry and made an appointment with his doctor.
Just like the beloved “Fighting Chippewa” CMU teams that he faithfully supports, Brock is a fighter. He enjoys meeting competitors on the soccer field, baseball diamond and golf course. But his biggest challenge has been facing medical issues related to a congenital heart defect.
It was every parent's worst nightmare.
Ron awoke to the sound of his ten-year-old daughter having a seizure, certainly frightening, but not unusual. Madeline was being seen by doctors for what was thought to be a neurological condition.
Upon running to his daughter, it became clear this was not a "normal" seizure. Ron watched his daughter take her last breath. She was in cardiac arrest.
A diehard Notre Dame fan, Leo and his three sons enjoy going to football games. The matchup between Notre Dame and the University of Michigan is a particular favorite.
Arriving early at the Ann Arbor stadium in 2011, Leo and his sons walked around and grabbed a bite to eat. The day was perfect. A short time later, Leo felt like he had heartburn, particularly on the right side of his chest. He thought nothing of it and tried burping to ease the pain.
For Patricia “Patti” Bonnell, October 20, 2010 began like any other day, but it wouldn’t end that way. She started the day off with a visit to the beauty shop and then went to Kroger’s to pick up a few things. She chatted with a worker and headed to the checkout lanes. She felt tired, but shrugged it off; everyone feels tired. She wouldn’t remember anything until a week later.
Nearly 80% of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in the home. Are you prepared to help a loved one if the need arises?
It is a situation none of us want to face. When someone collapses from a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest, every second counts. You could be that person's only chance for survival.
No one knows this better than David Schatzer whose life was saved by his wife Marian when she found him unresponsive.
Kids get sick all the time, right? But in this case, the headaches and vomiting that Brittney suffered in November 2008 were a sign of something far more dire than the flu.
An x-ray showed an enlarged heart and a blood clot in her lower left ventricle.