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To Whom it May Concern- We are a group of parents who have tragically lost children to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), have children with known heart conditions, or are individuals concerned about the well-being of Massachusetts children.
Senate Bill 1191 mandates that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are present in all Massachusetts public schools, at any event at the school (including morning or evening activities), and that there is someone available on the school premises who knows how to operate one (which is simple, by the way).
According to the American Heart Association, currently there are approximately 386 schools in Massachusetts without one AED. Having an AED present is a simple safety measure akin to having smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and epi-pens present in all schools. We wouldn’t dream of “not” having these available for our children in this day and age.
We need your help to make sure that this life-saving Bill gets passed before the end of July when the Senators go into recess. Currently, S1191 sits in the Senate Rules Committee where it needs to be voted on to move onto the floor for the final vote. If S1191 dies in Rules, we will need to begin again in September which leaves 386 schools & innumerable children vulnerable to tragedy.
Every 2.5 days in the U.S. a young person dies from a sudden cardiac arrest. Thousands of children die worldwide every year from sudden cardiac arrest from different causes including undiagnosed heart conditions or physical causes.
Tragically, in Nov. 2010, 16 year old Michael Ellsessar from Sutton, passed away following a hard blow to the chest while playing high school football (#99) (commotio cordis), causing him to go into SCA. There was no AED available at the field and the ambulance was 15 minutes away! CPR alone was not enough to save this amazing young athlete, friend, teammate, band mate, boyfriend, best friend, neighbor, employee, son, brother, cousin, nephew, grandson and much, much more! His family believes that had an AED been on the bench – Mike would be with us today…
In 2012, then Gov. Patrick signed “Michael’s Law” (S2132 which had been S218) which instituted a Medical Emergency Response Plan for Schools across the Commonwealth! Sadly, the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) aspect of these bills was removed but encouraged!
This terrible tragedy (SCA) has also claimed the life of Mike’s younger brother, Timothy (18 years old) this past July 29th while boating and swimming with his oldest brother Pat on Lake Manghaug in Douglas. Two of these three sons’ futures were robbed of them by sudden and tragic accidents both ending in cardiac events.
We are coming up on the 5th year anniversary of two Massachusetts youths’ untimely deaths, occurring unbelievably one week apart. Kevin Major from Westfield, 19, a gifted hockey player, also known for his big brown eyes and infectious grin, also participated in baseball, lacrosse, and golf. Everyone who knew Kevin, knew he lived his life and played with a “Big Heart.” Unfortunately, on July 11, 2011, Kevin lost his life due to a preexisting, undetected heart condition. Kevin passed away while enjoying a beautiful day swimming with friends.
Seven days later, 12 year old Josh Thibodeau collapsed doing what he loved best, playing soccer with his friends and brothers. The coaches at the camp that he was attending, promptly and correctly called 911, with EMS located across the street. Sadly, despite great effort, Josh was not able to be revived, and passed away. Located a few feet away from where Josh collapsed was an AED locked up in a nearby snack shack. One can’t help wonder if the outcome would have been different for Josh if this AED was available. Josh could be described as a joyful, sensitive, freckle-faced goofball, who loved his family, friends, and sports, particularly soccer.
Sudden cardiac arrest is indiscriminate as to age, race or gender. Cardiovascular disease is the second leading medical cause of death in children and adolescents in the United States.(Center for Disease Control (CDC) National Vital Statistics Report for 2005, published April 2008, Volume 56, Number 10). Unbelievably, Josh Thibodeau’s younger brother, Adam, also a soccer player and the picture of health (like most children with hidden heart conditions), was diagnosed with a completely different heart condition than Josh. 1/500 people have the condition that Josh had called HCM, and 1/2500 people have Adam’s condition, Long QT Syndrome. Cardiac conditions in children are not so rare.
Sterling resident, Ben Godbout, is a friend and soccer teammate of Adam. Ben lives a mere 12 miles away from the Thibodeau family. Like Adam, Ben was diagnosed with a heart condition. Ben is an outstanding goalie as well as a talented guitarist. Both boys will enter Wachusett Regional High School in the Fall.
AEDs save lives, as was the case of Tyler Symes from Millville! Tyler was a 15 yr old athlete who had a freak accident while playing a sport he loved. Tyler was a freshman who skated on the first line of the varsity hockey team. While Tyler was defending, he took a puck to his chest. He skated for about another 20 seconds then collapsed. Tyler did not have any previous heart problems. He suffered from commotio cordis which sent him into cardiac arrest. Thankfully, the athletic trainer had grabbed the AED before leaving the school. Within seconds they began CPR on Tyler and the AED saved him. Tyler has made a full recovery, has graduated from high school, went to Poster and Chester, and now works as an electrical apprentice. The AED made all of this possible.
All parents and guardians deserve the peace of mind of knowing that, should their child succumb to a hidden heart condition, or endure a life-threatening blow to the chest, that an AED is present, with someone there who knows how to use it. Burying a child, a friend, a classmate, because technology (an AED costing only $1000) is unavailable is unacceptable. Period.
How can you help?
• Email your Senator and Representative and ask that this common-sense, life-saving Bill gets passed now (mass.gov/).
• Join us at OUR State House on Thursday, July 7th at 10 a.m. We will meet at Nurse’s Hall and then go to previously arranged Senator appointments. Please try to set up an appointment with your Senator for this day as soon as possible.
• Please share this information with family, friends, or anyone you know who cares about the well-being of children.
With heartfelt thanks,
Deb and Ralph Thibodeau
The Josh Thibodeau Helping Hearts Foundation
Holden, MA
Susan Canning and Shannon Small
KEVS Foundation
Westfield, MA
Barri Lynn and Stephen Godbout
Sterling, MA
John and Luann Ellsessar
The Michael T. Ellsessar Memorial Fund
Sutton, MA
Dawn and Ben Symes
Millville, MA
Grace Soultanian and Elizabeth Epkins
Heartstrong Foundation
Lunenburg, MA
