Kayla died on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 from an undetected heart defect. On the Sunday before she died, she and I had a conversation about saving the lives of others. Kayla shared that when she died she wanted to donate her body to science so that she might save others. I didn't know that I would be granting that wish just three days later.
We all felt that her life could save lives in so many other ways too, hence, the reason for starting the KAYLA Foundation: Keeping Alive: Youth Living Actively.
Never would we have imagined that Kayla's life would end so abruptly. Never would we have imagined that Kayla had a heart defect. Kayla's life might have been saved had CPR been performed and had there been an AED on-site at the school. We'll never know. This is what we do know:
On average in the U.S., just 6% of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) victims survive. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) more than double a victim's chance of survival. In fact, early defibrillation with CPR is the only way to restore the SCA victim's heart rhythm to normal. For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation the chances of survival decrease by 7-10%.*
Kayla's life has already saved lives. Not just due to the research that future doctors were able to perform with our donation, but we know for a fact that heart screenings have been performed and heart defects have been found...in our family alone.
When you hear about free CPR training or free or inexpensive heart screenings, please take advantage of the opportunities. Think of Kayla and take a chance on saving a life.
*According to the American Heart Association