Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association

SCAA Press Releases

SCAA Events

Lisa Levine and Lois Capps

SCAA, in cooperation with the Congressional Heart & Stroke Caucus, joined other members of the SCA Coalition to host "Take a Stand Against SCA" on October 26, 2011, teaching the basics of Hands Only CPR and AED use to members of Congress and legislative aides. Commemorating October as National SCA Awareness Month, the event raised awareness of the public health crisis of SCA, CPR and use of AEDs and legislation aimed at increasing bystander intervention through public education and access to life-saving devices. An award was presented to Representative Lois Capps (D-CA) for her longtime support of heart-healthy, education and emergency response measures, including the newly introduced Teaching Children to Save Lives Act.

Lisa Levine and Phil Roe

Representative Phil Roe (R-TN) also was recognized for recently providing lifesaving assistance to a man experiencing SCA at a North Caroline airport. "AEDs are really idiot-proof," commented Roe, a former obstetrician/gynecologist now serving his second term in Congress. In addition, Dr. Ben Abella, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Emergency Medicine, Center for Resuscitation Science, and member, SCAA Medical Advisory Board, provided a medical overview explaining how government involvement is critical to reducing loss of life from SCA. The program also included SCA survivor presentations, featuring SCA survivor and AED advocate Pamela Bonin who shared her personal experience and called attention to early implementation of the chain of survival giving victims a better chance at survival.