Buchman: Why is Heart Reach Carmel Important to you?
Fair: Heart Reach Carmel invests their revenues in buying life-saving AED’s. There is a great need for AED’s (Automated external defibrillators) in public areas where there are a great number of people. AED’s save lives, it saved mine.
Buchman: So you are here today because of an AED?
Fair: Yes, I was the girl’s basketball coach at Speedway High School and I was preparing for an upcoming basketball game when I had an appointment with my cardioligist and he informed me that I needed a defibrillator. I told him that I could not have a defibrillator implanted until after basketball season. My cardiologist was not happy with my decision.
On Thursday, January 26, 2007 we were playing a game and I was not feeling very well. Four minutes into the game I told my assistant coach to call a timeout because something was really, really wrong. I fell to the ground and do not remember a thing, I had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) which is the stopping of the heart. There were fireman in the crowd who began administering chest compressions and trying to get my heart started again. They tried for 2.5 minutes without success. Fortunately for me Speedway Schools had invested in an AED and the Assistant principal ran and got the AED, the fireman used it on me and the AED started my heart again. The AED saved my life. Speedway Schools were ahead of the times and properly planned for an event like this. While in the Ambulance, Cara my wife called my cardiologist and informed him of what happened and he met us at the Hospital. I had a permanent defibrillator implanted two days later and have gone on to live a normal, happy life. I feel great now.
Buchman: Based on your experience, what is the takeaway message?
Fair: When you walk into a building, stadium, church, mall etc…know where the AED is located. Who knows, the life you save may be your own. Sign up now and attend the 3.33 mile Bolt for the Heart Family Run/Walk. All proceeds will go to purchasing AED’s and then donated to organizations in central Indiana that are in need.
