Press Release

CONTACT: Kristjen Renard, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, 202.719.8909
February 11, 2008

SCA Coalition Co-Chair Featured in February Inflight Magazines

Airlines Commemorate February's Designation as Heart Month

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, which co-chairs the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition with the Heart Rhythm Society, helped bring international awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) during Heart Month. US Airways and Southwest Airlines both feature articles on SCA which claims more than 250,000 lives each year. Both stories showcase stories of survival from SCA by the heroic efforts of airline employees. Each magazine reaches a captive audience of more than 3 million readers per month and is sure to help raise awareness of SCA.

     Excerpt from Southwest Airlines:
" ...Southwest provides defibrillators to support our trained Employees who may respond to a medical emergency involving a Customer or fellow Employee. While we hope to never use this equipment, we want to make sure we’re prepared..."
     Download PDF of article (109K)

     Excerpt from column by Doug Parker, Chairman and CEO US Airways
" ...With the assistance of a medical professional who was a passenger on that flight, these flight attendants used an AED to administer a lifesaving electrical shock to the man, who was taken to the hospital as soon as his flight landed. That young man survived, thanks to the actions of the crew and the passenger..."
     Download PDF of column (85K)

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The SCA Coalition is comprised of more than 30 organizations passionate about preventing Sudden Cardiac Arrest deaths through legislative initiatives that lead to greater public awareness, research and access to life-saving therapies. The SCA Coalition is focused on national issues that have the opportunity to bring about meaningful change that will save lives.