North Carolina requires High School Seniors to learn CPR

Earning a high school diploma proves more than academic success in North Carolina – it offers experiences with a real world, and often life-saving skill.

The North Carolina High School graduating classes of 2015 will be the first class held to the set standard of taking and completing a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training courses. The importance of learning how to react during emergency situations is something that is crucial to being able to help someone, said Chatham County School spokeswoman, Beth McCullough. According to Broughton High School principal, Stephen Mares, the transition should be smooth as the P.E. department already demonstrates CPR training and opportunities to learn.

Physical Education (P.E.) teachers in Chatham County Schools are all licensed as CPR instructors by the Red Cross. Governor Bev Perdue signed into law the bill that has been on the books since 1997, but was never held or documented. The legislation was met with little opposition when signed at the Capitol.

New Jersey and Janet's Law

In New Jersey, local lawmakers and parents have made headway in growing awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and the need for AEDs in schools.

Assembly Republication Leader, Jon Bramnick sponsored the new legislation named “Janet’s Law”, named after the 11-year-old cheerleader, Janet Zilinski, who died August 2006 at a cheerleading practice from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). “Janet’s Law” requires New Jersey schools, both public and non-public, to be equipped with automated external defibrillators (AED) and to establish plans for responding to cardiac events and other emergencies.

The legislation piece also trains school officials, faculty and coaches on how to operate AEDs in case of an emergency. Although AEDs often come with computer-generated voice instructions, Janet’s parents, Jim and Karen Zilinski, pushed for the past six years to have AEDs and training as available as fire extinguishers. Statistically, the faster the response to a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) with an AED, the higher the chances of the victim surviving. The Zilinski’s created the Janet Zilinski Memorial Fund to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and to help others understand the devastating effects and to react calmly in the moments before trained emergency response personnel arrive. The legislation, originally named Bill A-1608 in the Assembly, was unanimously approved by both houses of the Legislature this year.

What are YOU doing Saturday, October 27, 2012?

Rain or Shine Living for Zachary will hold their 4th Annual Living For Zachary Incredible HeartRun at The Shops at Legacy Plano, TX on Saturday, October 27, 2012.

More than 1,000 runners and walkers celebrating the progress in the fight against sudden cardiac arrest in youth. Living for Zachary will take registrations the morning of Saturday, October 27th for those who like to wait until the last minute.

1 mile Fun Run and 5K Run/Walk plus exciting activities for your entire family. Bounce houses, face painting, balloon artistry, and more! A way to give back this October to support Sudden Cardiac Awareness Month!

Schedule of Events:
Race Day Registration 7:00 am Warm-up by Camp Gladiator 8:15 am 5K & 1 Mile 8:30 am Awards Presentation 9:30am 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk: All ages- $15 5K Run/Walk: Ages 11-under: $15 Ages 12-22: $20 Ages 23 & Up: $25 5K Awards - Trophies awarded to top male and female finisher. Medals awarded to top three male/female finishers in each age group.

Why not make October a month to give back and help Living for Zachary bring awareness to SCA and attend the 4th Annual Living For Zachary Incredible HeartRun!

You can also give back by Volunteering at the Living for Zachary Incredible HeartRun - click here for more information.

Make a Difference: Help Raise SCA Awareness in October

Sudden Cardiac Awareness is Living for Zachary's main objective. We encourage and support Heart Screening and AED use.

Living for Zachary is a non-profit organization [(501 (c) (3) 80-0410066] with a mission dedicated to saving young lives from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The organization was founded in honor of Zachary Schrah, who was only 16 years old when he collapsed during a high school football practice in Plano on April 2, 2009. After Zachary’s death, the Living for Zachary Organization was established to raise SCA awareness of undiagnosed heart issues in teens. 

Congress declared October "National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month." Four years and many useless deaths later many still do not understand that SCA is different from a Heart Attack and affects more than 1,000 people every single day. 1 in 10 SCA victims survive.

Help Living for Zachary raise SCA Awareness by either Volunteering for Living for Zachary, or  Donating to Living for Zachary or Sponsor one of our Living for Zachary events.