One Mom’s Story….

In May Think Safe received the following letter requesting assistance from a mom….. This is being reprinted with the permission of this mother in an effort to help others understand that Sudden Cardiac Arrest does affect children in the U.S. as well as adults.

Hello my name is Corinne Ruiz.

Olivia Ruiz’ Last School Picture

April 22, 2004, my 14 year old daughter Olivia died from sudden cardiac arrest.  Olivia was on life support for ten days. After ten days, we were told that Olivia had no brain activity. We were left with a very painful decision to remove our daughter from the breathing machine.

April 22nd, it was six years since the death of my daughter. Not a day goes by that I don’t ask myself, “If only I had known about Long QT Syndrome/Sudden Cardiac Arrest and AEDs”. Maybe, just maybe Olivia would be alive today.

I and many other families who have lost children to Sudden Cardiac Arrest are now their voice. We are dedicated to protecting our youth from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and preventable Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD). Unfortunately, where I live, xxx, very little is known about SCA in our youth.  I was quite surprised to find out that Olivia’s High School, xxx, didn’t have an AED on campus.

It’s time to make a difference, speak out, with the hope of saving others.  I plan on promoting SCA awareness in my community.  I have written letters to our community leaders to see if they have implemented community Public Access Defibrillation programs. I have contacted my local state representative, senators regarding the Josh Miller Hearts Act, which would provide a pool of grant money for school districts to use to purchase AED’s. If this passes, it would make mandating AED’s in [state xx] easier because it would offset a large portion of the start-up costs. I have written letters to our senators on behalf of the American Hearth Association supporting SB 1281.

I am a mom who is now left with:

• If only I had known that I had options..
• If only I had been told that there are screening tests or preventative treatments..
• If only I had known that my daughter looked normal but her heart wasn’t..
• If only I had known that an AED could give my daughter another chance..
• …then maybe I wouldn’t have lost my Olivia..

I hope after reading my story, you will find it in your heart to donate an AED to XX High School, in memory of my daughter, Olivia. I am not a politician nor am I an expert in the medical field, I am Olivia’s mom.  A mom who will not let her daughter’s death be in vain.

Thanking you in advance for your support.

Since that date, Corrine has been crucial in placing an AED at this school and is crucial in helping to place others in the surrounding area. Think Safe is proud to be of assistance in making this happen as well. We can provide funding solutions!

Each year 10,000 to 15,000 or more children die from Sudden Cardiac Arrest, just like Olivia – due to a fatal accident or undiagnosed medical condition.

For educational materials on SCA, grant or fund raising assistance or special school packages please contact the technical experts at Think Safe, 888-473-1777 or complete the form below.  Let’s make schools an even safer place for our children!

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First Voice Cube First Aid Kit – A Day of Use at Ragbrai XXXVIII!

This year marked the 38th year for the Des Moines’ Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (Ragbrai)! I had the pleasure of participating with some family members during the last day of this great event, ending up in Dubuque, Iowa. I was not sore the next day but I certainly was not Speedy Gonzalez getting up the hills that were positioned in front of me on the several hour bike ride and 80 degrees plus Iowa Summer day!

Another proud note was that the trek went right by my in-laws home (ON CHANEY STREET in Dubuque, Iowa) and so they were good enough to host a DONATION ONLY goodies and water/lemonade stand that brought in $140 towards Defibrillators in the Schools! Thanks to all my family and kids who are helping our Iowa kids, school employees or volunteers to be more protected during school events and public events at school campuses. (Sudden Cardiac Arrest kills more than 300,000 people annually every year and it affects people of all ages, gender and races.) Truly, they are helping to save lives by raising money for these devices!

Anyway, over 15,000 to 20,000 riders navigated a 442-mile route with 14,527 feet of climb and the last day had more than it’s share of hills to contribute to the climb total! 2 hills on the ride brought 2 accidents which prompted my stopping and assisting with the First Voice Cube. Several comments included “That is a great first aid kit” and “good thing you came prepared”. Many boo boos I saw were a bit much for a standard bandaid.

And, I’ll post pictures of the eventful and memorable day and some of the accident footage showing our infamous Cube in action. Remember, when I took it canoeing for the day up in NE Iowa it got used to help another “canoer” mend a large gash from glass in the river.

You can’t beat a great portable and nicely organized first aid kit! Do you have one in your home, vehicles and sports bags?

For more information or to find a distributor near you, contact us at 888-473-1777 or complete the following form and we will be happy to get in touch with you!

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