10/06/2016
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month Ushered In by Two Alert Members of Congress & their staff members
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association Chairperson Mary Tappe commended Congressmen Murphy and Burgess on their swift and successful response to an apparent SCA (See following story) and added " This is a great example of how by-stander CPR and AED deployment and first responder action saves lives. . ."
SCAA Launches COPE-LINE
1-855-COPE-SCA (1-855-267-3722)
(THE COPE-LINE IS NOT FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES FOR WHICH YOU SHOULD CALL YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDER OR 911)
ACCESS—The SCAA COPE-LINE is now operational. SEE the COPE tab on this SCAA website for more information on how to access the COPE-LINE.
WHO IS IT FOR?—The COPE-LINE is for Survivors of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and ICD Implantees or family members of either group. It offers an opportunity to speak live with someone who is a survivor of sudden cardiac arrest and/or has been implanted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator, commonly called an ICD or an internal defibrillator.
WHO WILL YOU TALK WITH?—The caller will not receive medical advice, but will be able to talk with a Survivor or Implantee who has experienced a similar situation, is familiar with many of the issues surrounding coping with sudden cardiac arrest or ICD implantation, and has talked with many other people who have arrested or been implanted.
COPE-LINE A KEY ELEMENT IN A NEW LINK IN THE CHAIN OF SURVIVAL—The COPE-LINE has been created to implement another effective link in the Chain of Survival
The Chain of Survival
Call 911—Effective, early, bystander CPR—Rapid defibrillation (AED)—Effective advanced life support—Integrated post resuscitation care—COPING with the consequences.
Date of Birth:
Monday, June 11, 1956
Date of Death:
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Age:
60 years old
Former SCAA Board member Steven James Johnston, age 60 died of a heart attack on May 31st, at his home in Rochester, MN. Steve was involved with SCAA since its infancy and provided insight and passion to our Board deliberations and to the organization as a whole. He was instrumental in creating our Recognition program for Rescuers and Survivors of SCAA.
Steve is survived by the love his life of 28 years, Connie, and two adoring children: Matthew, Jennifer and her husband Scott, who he loved like a son. He leaves behind four siblings and many nieces and nephews. Steve is preceded in death by his parents: Gordon and Bettie Johnston and two siblings.
Steve made incredible contributions to society during his 35 year career in Law Enforcement. He started working at age 16 as a dispatcher for the Tracy Police Department. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections from Mankato State University, graduating magna cum laude. He then accepted a position as a patrol officer with the Rochester Police Department. Over the years he moved up the ranks and ended his career as Deputy Chief. Steve attended the FBI National Academy and a graduate program in Law Enforcement Administration.
One of Steve’s greatest contributions was development of the Early Defibrillation Program. This is a police-based defibrillation program that is now considered the most effective program in the world. In Rochester alone, it has saved the lives of more than 250 people. Steve dedicated a lot of his time and energy helping other police departments around the world implement similar life-saving programs. His influence and efforts in raising funds for defibrillators and training for police officers is unprecedented, and has helped save thousands of lives each year.
Steve had many other significant career accomplishments, far too many to list, but to name a few; he automated the issuance of parking citations and warrants, constructed the Animal Control Shelter, developed the Communications Unit, obtained $200,000+ in grant funding for automatic vehicle location equipment, testified before the MN Legislature to help get funding for the purchase of defibrillators for the MN State Patrol, drafted and helped enact MN Statue 609.505 subdivision 2 making it a crime to falsely accuse police of misconduct, and upgraded Rochester’s 9-1-1 system. As a true public servant, he was an avid volunteer, served on many boards, committees, and took on several leadership roles within those organizations.
Most importantly, Steve was a devoted Christian and loving husband, father, brother and uncle. He loved helping friends, family, and even strangers however he could. He was extremely humble and his kindness and dedication to others was second to none. Steve had an amazing sense of humor and loved to joke around.
Public visitation will be held Tuesday, June 6 at the Autumn Ridge Timothy Chapel 3611 Salem Road SW, Rochester, from 5-7 pm and one hour before the funeral service held at 11 am on Wednesday, June 7 in the main auditorium of Autumn Ridge Church. Memorials may be made to the family who will disperse among his favorite causes.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Woman Thanks Paramedics Who Saved Her Life
Stephanie Gavshon contacted the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA) COPE-LINE and spoke with Mary Tappe, a fellow sudden cardiac arrest survivor. Mary talked at length with Stephanie, discussing those feeling that other survivors intuitively understand. Stephanie was very interested in hearing how her rescuer's would greatly appreciate being thanked in person, given such a small percentage of people survive sudden cardiac arrest. SCAA provided the certificates and medals that Stephanie provided to her paramedics. SCAA is very happy to have played a very small part in helping Stephanie and her family recover. If you know of anyone impacted by sudden cardiac arrest, please have them call SCAA's peer-to-peer COPE-LINE at 1-855-COPE-SCA (1-855-267-3722
NBC ABC Orange County Facebook/Orange County
Sharing an article from our Michigan Chapter
http://www.clickondetroit.com/health/good-health/survivors-club-shares-lifesaving-lessons
#DonateAndSaveLives
Help us in our mission to save lives from sudden cardiac death. To donate you can click on the link below or send a check to:
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association
Attn: Richard Brown, Executive Director
6842 Turnberry Isle Ct.
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
DONATE NOW or paste the following URL into your browser (https://squareup.com/store/sudden-cardiac-arrest-association )
Thanks,
Mary Tappe, Chair
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association
Contact Information
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Christopher Bader
On Tuesday, July 15, 2008 my 53-year-old husband fell down in front of my eyes. We were walking in the woods with our three dogs. I pulled the cell phone from his pocket, performed chest compresion-only CPR as per the newest AHA Public Service Annoucements.
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