Soccer coach, Isha Hamilton, and Teacher, Greg McCoy, were commemorated for saving the life of Kiavelyn Altagracia, a 7th grade student who had suffered sudden cardiac arrest at school. John and Karen Acompora, founders of The Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation, presented the awards for their heroism on saving Kiavelyn's life.
First came the dispatch: A 47-year-old male had collapsed at a nearby soccer field and was unresponsive. Then came anxiety. "Before the incident, I was very nervous driving to get to the scene," said Police Officer Thelma Matthews, a 10-year veteran of the Sacramento State Police Department.
When tragedy struck, it did not take long for the Babbitt family to jump at the opportunity to help others who might be in a similar situation. The John Taylor Babbitt Foundation was established six months after 16 year-old John Babbitt collapsed and died from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
Thimons said he wants to get the word out about the lifesaving potential of AEDs for law enforcement. His department’s AEDs have been used over a dozen times now, and he tears up explaining that he’s “living proof that these things are so valuable.” The experience changed his life, and now Thimons is 31 lbs. lighter, with a fresh outlook to go along with his new lease on life.
The Anthony Bates Foundation offered a heart screening event at Kansas State University for over 300 participants ranging from community members, college athletes, and student athletes from nearby high schools.
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