Gateway Chapter (St. Louis, MO)
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The Gateway Chapter of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA) covers the St. Louis Metropolitan and Southern Illinois geographic area. The Gateway Chapter's mission is to increase awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and reduce unnecessary death from this equal opportunity killer. We intend to pursue this objective through legislative, educational, and other awareness programs providing equipment, training, and education for the general public. We also intend to serve as a support group for SCA survivors and the families of those impacted by Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
Linda Dickson, the Gateway Chapter leader, a wife and mother of two, is a survivor of Sudden Cardiac Arrest with a strong interest in ensuring that everyone be familiar with CPR and AED procedures to improve the survival chances for those stricken.
SCAA Gateway Chapter Volunteers Attempt To Set A CPR World Record
ST. PETERS, MO (KTVI) – It’s was a life-saving attempt at a world record in St. Peters this weekend. Volunteers tried to set the record for “most people taught CPR in 24 hours”. Most who came to the event at Ft. Zumwalt East High School to learn had never needed to know CPR. They never knew who needed it…or so they thought.
3rd Annual Trivia Night
On February 16, the Gateway Chapter of SCAA hosted the 3rd Annual "Got Heart" trivia night at the Mercy Hospital of St. Louis, MO. We presented the First Washington United Methodist Church of Washington, MO and St. Joseph's Catholic Church and school of St. Josephville, MO an AED from the proceed of our 2nd annual trivia night. This evening was full of trivia and fun. We increased our event by almost 50% and were able to raise over $7,600. We would like to thank all our sponsors and contributors but most of all we would like to thank those who attended our evening. Without you, we would not be able to do our great work. We hope to see you in 2014 for our 4th annual "Got Heart" trivia.
St. Joseph Catholic Church and School in St. Josephville, MO
First Washington United Methodist Church in Washington, MO
some of the Gateway Chapter members
2013 Contributors to the 3rd Annual Trivia Night:
Missouri Botanical Garden Old Town Donut Shop
Las Fuentes River City Rascals
Vantage Credit union Broken Bell Towing
Melissa Theime, 31 consultant Hendel’s
Helfer’s Main Street Books
Dan Farner, Edward Jones Metro East Monsieur School
Country House Nagle’s
Ba SSTarr Productions & Gifts Main Street Market Place
Riverside Sweets Friperie
Happy Tails Six Flags
John Dengler, Tobacconist Dan & Judy Kelly
Soft Surrounding Qdoba
Dewey’s Pizza De.Lish Cheese Cake Bakery and Café
St. Louis Art Museum Little Hills Winery and Restaurant
Little Caesar’s pizza Shop n Save
Portrait Innovations TH Photography & Design
Laurie Solet Boutique Nancee Salyer, Salyer Perfusion
Cheesecake Factory Gallo Wine
Crest Bowl Curly Q Creations
Handyman Hardware Scott Dankerbring
Nascar Speedpark KFOU
American Heart Association Putting Edge – St. Louis Mills
Innsbrooks Golf Maryland Heights Aquaport
Raging Rivers Zuga Fitness
Salon Ltd. Country House
Island Carousel- St. Louis Outlet Mall Paul and Carol Temme
Handyman Hardware The Tavern
The Corner Pub Brunswick Bowling
Starbucks~~ Florissant Location Cannoli’s
Home Depot of Florissant Bill and Ruth Schafer
Vera Bradley David Bruder
Dominic Michael Salon Jilly’s Cupcakes
B & B Heating and Cooling Doozle’s
St Louis Cinemas Sky Zone
Home Depot Dierberg’s
City of Florissant Golfing Lowe’s
Debbie Clifton, Longaberger Oral B & Smile Station Dental
Golf Club Liquidators Mitchell James Salon
White Buffalo Massage Sam’s Club
Demko Orthodontics Beauty Brands – Wentzville
Chilis Jake on Main
City of Florissant QT
Legal Technology Dooleys Florissant
Gold’s Gym - Dorsett Pam Gordon
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Join Us for the 3rd Annual Trivia Night, February 16th, 2013!
KMOV) – The Gateway Chapter of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, which mission is to increase awareness of heart health, is holding its second annual trivia night Saturday at SSM St. Clare Health Center in Fenton. The mission is to raise money for non-profit organizations to help pay for AEDs- automatedexternal defibrillators.
Florissant Resident Dedicates Her Heart to Sudden Cardiac Arrest
After suffering an episode of sudden cardiac arrest, Linda Dickson has worked to created more success stories like hers.
On November 15, 2011, chapter leader, Linda Dickson, received a proclaimation from the City of Florissant, MO. This proclaimation highlighted SCA and the work she has done raise awareness of SCA, AEDs, and CPR.
On June 23rd, we had three survivors with their heroes throw out the first pitch at the River City Rascals game. We also had a table set up to help raise awareness of AEDs, CPR, and SCA.
Survivors and heroes throw out first pitch. Mother and Daugher, Paula(survivor) and Abby(hero)
Dennis Blackford, survivor, his SCA was July 2010 on the pitcher's mound. Scott, another survivor throwing the pitch.
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After tackling heart problem, woman tries to help others
Linda Dickson never considered herself a philosopher. But in March 2007, she was hospitalized. Lucky to be alive — and lucky to have a memory — she pondered her near-death experience.
"I wondered, what's my purpose?" she said. "Why did I survive?"
Regular visits to a gym helped to maintain her body and gave her the stamina to keep up with her two pre-teen daughters.
So why did she black out and wind up on the floor of her church, her heart not beating, with one registered nurse compressing her chest and another administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?
On March 5th, the Gateway Chapter held its first annual Got Heart? Trivia Night. We are happy to announce that we have raised enough money to donate an AED in the metro St. Louis area. Everyone had a great time, and we have already started planning the second annual!!!
Gateway Representatives attend Red Cross Lobby Day
Dick Byland and Linda Dickson were invited by Dana Garner of the Red Cross to attend their lobby day. March is Red Cross month in Missouri. Dana Garner, who is an employee of the Red Cross and a chapter member, also attended. The Red Cross is helping a State Representative get House Bill 482 into the House. This Bill would require all Fitness Centers to have an AED.
Gateway Chapter Representatives Attend Heart Fairs!
On February 26th, Scott, Ruth, & Bill went to St. Luke's Day of Dance & they were able to do something "shocking". They spoke to hundreds (well, it seemed like hundreds) about the life saving things an AED can do! St. Luke reported over a 1,000 attended this Day of Dance!
Our chapter was delighted to be asked to help with the St. John's Heart to heart fair on February 25th and 26th. We were able to educate people on the importance of AEDs by Linda Dickson's presentation and our informational booth. Over the two days, we talked to some many that we lost count!!!! We were told that over 1,200 were registered for this event.
On Saturday, February 19th, 250 arrived at the SSM Heart Fair. Bill, Scott, & Dick of the Gateway Chapter were ready to show everyone how to use an AED. Many were very surprise to see how easy you could save someone's life!
Even though it was the first beautiful day in St. Louis in a long time, 370 people showed up for the Christian Mega Heart fair. The Gateway Chapter table was purposely put next to the AED (look for it in the pictures). How great was that!!! We talked and showed our AED trainer to a lot of people! Hopefully, we inspired someone to take a CPR/AED class.
Snow does not stop CPR Made Simple Event
Feb. 5, 2011- Waking up to one more snowy morning in St. Louis did not stop the CPR Made Simple Event from taking place on Saturday, Feb 5 at the Kirkwood, MO Community Center. The roads were covered and it would have been much cozier to be at home. Instead, those who braved the weather learned lifesaving skills to help someone who is experiencing a breathing emergency. Kicking off Heart Month, the Gateway Chapter, SSM St. Clare Health Center Heart Safe PAD Program and the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter joined together to offer CPR Made Simple to the community. The 90- minute program is ideal for those who want to know more, but do not want or need the in-depth knowledge and skills learned in a full certification CPR/AED course. Participants learned how to help someone who is choking, or who is not breathing or may need CPR or the use of an AED. Our own Chapter Member, Dick Bylund, told his story of survival to the group as a real example of the importance of learning lifesaving skills. Each participant received the First Aid and CPR for Everyone Practice Tool Kit (shown above), an event t-shirt and a gift certificate towards the purchase of American Red Cross training or preparedness products. This program was made possible through funding from Maritz and was available to the community for just a $5 registration fee.
Several who attended were: a young couple with a seven month old son, a middle schooler who encouraged her dad to join her so she could learn more ways to help people and two Boy Scouts who were encouraged to attend by their Mom who is in the healthcare field and has been previously certified in CPR and AED.
We hope to host another event in the community in October during Sudden Cardiac Awareness Month.
For more information, contact: Pam Gordon, Member and SSM St. Clare Health Center Heart Safe PAD Program Coordinator @: 636-399-6447 or Pamjgordon@yahoo.com.
On Saturday, Feb 5th, Jeff & Linda Dickson made it to MoBap to participate in their Heart Fair. It was a slippery drive to the hospital, but having the 4 wheel drive helped. It was a slow start but people finally showed up. They talked to about 125 people who were able to see and run an AED trainer. They are holding a raffle on March 5th for a CPR class for 4. In order to get into the raffle at one of the heart fairs, you must learn about the AED. We can't wait to talk to more people at the rest of the fairs this month!!
Automated External Defibrillators in Public Places
Click here for story on kmov.com
The Show Me Mustang club of St. Louis gave the Gateway Chapter of SCAA a gengerous donation to help them purchase AEDs for the St. Louis area. We would thank them for their support. If you are interested in mustangs, please visit their website: showmemustang.com.
Group pursues cardiac arrest awareness
The last thing Linda Dickson remembered was passing a piece of paper to her daughter during a Ladies Guild meeting at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Florissant.
About 24 hours later, she woke up from a coma and discovered she was in a hospital.
Defibrillator donated to Kids R Kids in O'Fallon, Missouri
An O'Fallon, Missouri school has a defibrillator thanks to a mother whose life was saved by one of the devices.
Mary Smith is a member of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association and is helping raise awareness about the importance of people being CPR certified and having AEDs in public places.
Marelly Products donated a defibrillator to Kids R Kids where Smith's child goes to school in honor of National CPR/AED awareness week and after hearing about her story.
Hear Chapter Leader Linda Dickson's story and the work being done by the Gateway Chapter in her interview with KMOV-4 by clicking here.
March 14, 2010: Linda Dickson, chairperson of the Gateway Chapter, was invited to KMOX 1120 News/Sport Radio Station in St. Louis, MO to speak on a fitness show about Sudden Cardiac Arrest and our new Gateway chapter. Linda was able to tell her SCA story, raise awareness of the importance of AEDs in public areas, and invited the public to join our chapter. Thanks to Monica Adams with KMOX.
Health Fair News
St. John's Mercy Health Fair was held February 19 and 20, 2010. Approximately 1,500 people registered for the event. Representatives from the SCAA Gateway Chapter spoke to attendees about sudden cardiac arrest and AEDS. We also had an AED trainer demonstrate how easy an AED is to use. Here is a comment received from the director of the Fair:
I went to dinner with my girlfriends last night. They are STILL talking about the trio of men from your group. Their stories really moved them...and they said one of the best exhibitors at the fair! Thank you for being there.
The SCAA Gateway Chapter was represented at the SSM Health Fair on February 13. The Fair featured keynote speakers and vendors who provided education on a variety of medical issues.
Gateway Chapter Leader Linda Dickson and volunteers Bill Schafer and Dick Bylund provide valuable information to Health Fair Attendees.
On Friday, February 5, 2010, the Women's Heart Health - Her Heart - Every Beat Counts was held at the SSM St. Joseph/St. Charles Health Fair. The Gateway Chapter was represented by Linda Dickson, Dick Bylund, and Dana Garner. The event was a success with over 300 in attendance. Breakfast and lunch were served and the program included three distinguished doctors (an internist/cardiologist, cardiothoracic surgeon, and an electrophysiologist), as well as a heart attack survivor.
There were several opportunities for attendees to visit vendors including our own SCAA Gateway Chapter, American Heart Association, SSM, HeartWomen, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and other vendors who provided education on a variety of medical issues.
The Fair was a wonderful opportunity to spread the word about sudden cardiac arrest and the Gateway Chapter's involvement in the community. We look forward to participating in the upcoming St. John's Mercy's Health Fair on February 19-20, 2010.
SCAA Gateway Chapter Survivors Meet for Kick Off Party
Front Row: Linda Dickson, Dick Bylund, Mary Smith
Second Row: Bob Rahm, Carolyn Holt, Bill Schafer
Members Jackie Rahm, Linda Dickson, Dick Bylund, Mary Smith
Bob Rahm, Jeff Dickson, Carolyn Holt, Bill Schafer, Dana Garner
At January meeting, chapter members enjoyed tour of new rehabilitation center and hospital room at SSM St. Clare Hospital.
Bill Schafer, Dick Bylund and Linda Dickson proudly display SCAA banner
Members visit with Maggie Crane of Channel 4 news after interview.
October 2, 2011 Ruth and Bill Schafer handled the Health Fair table for the Gateway Chapter SCAA. This was a small affair, about 150 people were registered. We had good interest in Annie and the Defibrillator. We probably had about 25 people actually try to defibrillate and "do something shocking".
Contact
Linda Dickson
1210 St. Patrice Ln.
Florissant, MO 63031
314-516-2850
gatewaychapterofscaa@yahoo.com