Nominations are due by Friday, April 7
Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States. The act of CPR can double, or even triple, a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. Additionally, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, while someone dies from a stroke every four minutes. But stroke doesn’t mean death. Many stroke victims can walk away from the hospital if treated within a few hours of symptoms. Anyone can learn the signs of a stroke, learn CPR, and help save a life.
Have you or someone you know ever witnessed a cardiac or stroke emergency and taken action? The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association is seeking nominations for the 2017 New Jersey American Heartsavers and Stroke Heroes Awards sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health. These awards recognize individuals of any age, as well as groups, organizations and businesses in New Jersey who made rescue efforts or took extraordinary steps to strengthen the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association Chain of Survival.
The Chain of Survival refers to five key actions that help to save someone’s life in a cardiac or stroke emergency. These steps are:
• Recognition of cardiac arrest or stroke and activation of the emergency response system by calling 9–1–1.
• Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation with an emphasis on chest compressions.
• Rapid defibrillation/ use of an AED.
• Basic and advanced emergency medical services.
• Advanced life support and post-cardiac arrest care.
A strong Chain of Survival can improve chances of survival and recovery for victims of cardiac arrest or stroke.
A New Jersey Heartsaver or Stroke Hero can be any person or group who acted in a good faith effort to help save a life regardless of the outcome. A nominee can be any individual, group or business who recognized a cardiac or stroke emergency and activated the Chain of Survival by calling 9–1–1, performing CPR or using an AED; went above and beyond to educate others on cardiac arrest and stroke; or have taken measures to strengthen the Chain of Survival in their community. Nominees selected to receive the New Jersey American Heartsaver or Stroke Hero Award will be recognized at The Imperia in Somerset on June 13.
If you or someone you know has strengthened the Chain of the Survival, please visit heart.org/NJHeartsavers to learn more and fill out a nomination form. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, April 7. For questions or additional information please call Courtney Nelson, senior director of community health, at (609) 223–3734 or courtney.nelson@heart.org.
