History of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA) was founded and incorporated in 2005. It is a nonprofit tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code. SCAA is an outgrowth of the pioneering work done by the National Center for Early Defibrillation (NCED), a unit of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.
The impetus for NCED was the evident and urgent need to broaden public access to defibrillation -- the first line of response to save the lives of those who experience sudden cardiac arrest. In 1998, Dr. Vince Mosesso and Dr. Paul Paris, emergency physicians and researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, proposed the expansion of a successful pilot program on the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to provide consultation and support to local police departments and other non-traditional providers interested in establishing AED programs. At the same time, the Medtronic Foundation, a supporter of AED programs in numerous metropolitan areas throughout the United States, envisioned a national center of excellence dedicated to improving survival from sudden cardiac arrest. Working together, a new center was established at the University of Pittsburgh with Dr. Mosesso and Dr. Paris serving as Medical Director and Associate Medical Director respectively. Over the course of several years, NCED provided the most comprehensive approach to implementation of AED programs and expansion of public access to defibrillation.
In 2003 NCED launched a Survivor Network and an Ambassador Network and decided to take a broader look at its mission to include all Sudden Cardiac Arrest issues including ICD therapies. As part of this examination, a decision was made to re-launch as an independent organization --the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association -- governed by its own Board of Directors coming out of the former Survivor and Ambassador communities.
Today, SCAA carries forward the original mission of NCED to broaden public access to early defibrillation and has expanded its efforts to include public awareness of SCA, its prevention and treatments for those at risk, and advocacy for a wide range of issues related to SCA.
SCAA Fondly Remembers John "Jack" Grogan
Memorial AED Fund Established in Co-Founder's Honor
John (Jack) Grogan, who co-founded the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA) and served on its Board of Directors, died February 28. He was 73.
His clear vision and relentless work for SCAA grew the organization from the SCA Survivor Network of the National Center for Early Defibrillation into the nation's largest non-profit advocacy organization singularly focused on SCA.
An AED/EMS volunteer with the San Jose California Fire Department, Jack was passionate about preventing unnecessary death from SCA in his local community. He educated students, business owners and community leaders about SCA prevention, teaching CPR/AED classes to thousands of residents. His unwavering dedication was honored by the SJFD when he received the Devoted Service Award for advancing the city's AED programs.
A strong advocate for public access to defibrillation and medical technology issues on the state, and federal level as well, Jack testified before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Congress and the California Legislature - where his efforts helped pass legislation requiring California fitness centers and health clubs to have AEDs and personnel trained in their use. He also advocated for wider implementation of AED programs at schools throughout California.
In 2005, Jack was honored with the Medtronic Corporation's Community Champion Award as part of the "Keep the Beat" campaign.
"Jack's unwavering commitments to SCA prevention and building the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association are memorialized through the lives of those that have been saved and the many that will be saved in the future," said SCAA Executive Director Chris Chiames. "The SCA community mourns the loss of one of its own, and our deepest sympathies go out to Jack's wife Anita and family."
A Korean War veteran, Jack honorably served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Upon completion of his military service, Jack earned a degree in electrical engineering and joined the IBM Corporation, where he worked for 43 years and retired as a "Distinguished Engineer." He is survived by his wife, Anita, their four children and seven grandchildren.
Please consider giving to the Jack Grogan Memorial AED Fund using the online donation form , or mail your tax deductible contribution to SCAA ATTN: Richard Brown at 6842 Turnberry Isle Ct., Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 . Your contribution will help carry on Jack's mission.