In April 2012, Tracy Hjelle’s world turned upside down. The 42 year old coaches women’s softball for Luther college. One morning, the team was boarding a bus to head to Wisconsin when Tracy unexpectedly fell to the ground. Head Trainer Kris Agena, catcher Kelsey Kittleson, and outfielder Shari Huber, were quick to perform CPR. A nearby AED at the college was brought over and recovered Tracy’s heart back to a normal rhythm. Tracy miraculously survived and became diagnosed with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).
Tracy Hjelle with her husband John
Tracy is a lucky survivor because she got the help she needed within minutes. The three women who performed CPR right away, increased Tracy’s chances of surviving immensely. Having the AED on campus gave Tracy the help she needed before waiting crucial minutes for Emergency Responders to arrive.
Imagine getting the news that one of your family members suffered from SCAD or sudden cardiac arrest. Think Safe’s very own President and CEO, Paula Wickham, is actually Tracy Hjelle’s cousin. Tracy is living proof that a sudden heart attack can happen to anyone!
Tracy’s story proves that people should be educated and trained in CPR. Along with that, making sure AEDs are located in public venues. People must be prepared because when an unexpected surprise like Tracy’s occurs, they need to be ready.
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Contact Think Safe today for information on CPR/First Aid Training, AEDs, and supplies! Complete the following form or call 888-473-1777!
Posted by Think Safe, Inc. 
Rave) – yet years later they can gather and kick out great tunes and have this unspoken common ground. Now grown with adult lives and different professions such as teacher, government employee, school counselor, accountant, US soldier, restaurant manager – they came together to create something that cohesively bonded their audience, their families, and themselves. The last time they played together was about a year ago at Uncle Jay’s funeral, our Purple Heart WWII family hero. And, played very well they did despite it being with a kids drum set, an old acoustic guitar some family member dusted off from the basement, and a local pawn shop guitar purchase the day before the funeral. It was a brilliant tribute to Uncle Jay’s presence on this earth and what he left behind. The time before that was 10 years or maybe a bit prior! The morning after Wickstock 2009 we sat around drinking coffee and chatting about life, I asked the drummer how long since he had played. You guessed it – at Uncle Jay’s funeral. This is amazing to me…he said it was like
riding a bike. However, what he did not say is that I bet it took lots of earmuffs by his mother and effort during the years of practice to get him to that level.
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