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Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA) held its Annual National Conference in Pittsburgh at the Marriott City Center on October 8-10, 2010.

Rescuers John D'Angelo, Phil Vargo,
Alan Jackson and Survivor Jay FeuerTri-Community South EMS members of the Western PA Chapter for the SCAA planning committee were Nora Helfrich, Phil Vargo, and Michele D'Angelo. The planning committee, who worked for over a year on the project, decided to honor for the first time those who had survived an episode of sudden cardiac arrest. The survivors would then meet their rescuers in a reunion held at a special Friday evening dinner event. Over forty survivors attended the Friday program which was emceed by Channel 4 newscaster Sally Wiggin.

Other highlights of the conference included a bus tour of the city of Pittsburgh for the spouses of the physicians, as well as nurses, and EMS providers. Michele D'Angelo and Kate Hogdon guided the tour that included visits to Mt. Washington, the Strip District, the Cathedral of Learning, and the WISER Medical Center. Later, a group picture of the survivors was taken in front of a large birthday cake symbolizing a new birth for the group.

       Sally Wiggin, John D'Angelo, Jay FeuerSaturday's activities ended with a dinner which honored the businesses and foundations that have made a significant contribution to raising awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Music was provided by Benny Benack and the emcee for the evening was Rick Seback from WQED. The honorees were the Maggie Dixon Foundation, the Safer Center, and the Arizona Shared Program.

Dr. Vince Mossesso, an Upper St. Clair resident, is the medical director of SCAA, an organization formed to increase the public's awareness of sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in the U.S., far surpassing all forms of cancer. It occurs once every 90 seconds and its survivor rate nationwide is an anemic 8%. The survivors in attendance however, were a testament to the fact that this number can be dramatically improved if more people learn to use both CPR and an AED.

     John D'Angelo and Jay FeuerTo coincide with the SCAA conference, Dan Onorato and Jim Burns sponsored an Allegheny County Council resolution proclaiming October 8th as AED Awareness Day in the city of Pittsburgh.

Tri-Community South EMS holds CPR/AED classes bimonthly at our EMS base. Please get involved and help prevent sudden cardiac arrest by taking a CPR class. For more information, contact us at 412-831-3710 or visit our website at www.tcsems.org.