Latest news with #MattClark
Business Journals
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Journals
American Heart Association turns bystanders into lifesavers by building a nation ready to act
In the split second it takes for a heart to stop, everything changes. For the 350,000 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of hospitals each year, survival often hinges on one factor: whether someone nearby knows how to respond. Yet 7 in 10 people in America say they feel powerless to act in a cardiac emergency. As a result, fewer than half of cardiac arrest victims receive CPR from bystanders before professional help arrives. That is a gap the American Heart Association is determined to close. As the world's leading voluntary health organization dedicated to longer, healthier lives, the Association is taking bold steps through its Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative, a nationwide movement to turn bystanders into lifesavers. At the heart of this mission is a commitment to ensure that everyone is equipped with the skills to perform CPR and use an AED (automated external defibrillator). These are not just tools — they are the difference between life and death. Take Matt Clark's story as a powerful example. In 2020, while piloting a transatlantic Delta Air Lines flight, Clark suffered a sudden cardiac arrest midair. His co-pilot, Te Lee, immediately began administering chest compressions and directed another crew member to retrieve the onboard AED. Thanks to their quick response and the availability of an AED, Clark's life was saved and the crew was able to safely land the plane so he could receive further medical care. He later received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to protect him in the future. It was the combination of emergency preparedness, advanced technology and the ongoing research and advocacy supported by the American Heart Association that made this lifesaving outcome possible. expand That same commitment to readiness is now taking root across Atlanta, where community organizations are helping to build a stronger chain of survival. With the support of several local companies and partners, thousands of individuals have gained access to lifesaving CPR education. Youth-focused groups such as the Georgia Youth Football League Conference and Soccer in the Streets, along with faith-based organizations like First Baptist East Point and Dream Church, have been empowered with the tools and training to respond in cardiac emergencies. Other nonprofits such as At-Promise Atlanta and Special Kneads and Treats, LLC have also joined the movement. Each received CPR training kits, funding for certification and access to AEDs — ensuring that more people across the community are prepared to save lives when every second counts. Creating a Nation of Lifesavers goes beyond education and awareness — it also requires meaningful policy change at both the federal and state levels. To support this effort, the American Heart Association has endorsed the federal Access to AEDs Act, which would establish a grant program to help K–12 schools provide CPR and AED training, purchase lifesaving devices and implement Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) designed to reduce fatalities from sudden cardiac arrest in school settings. In Georgia, that commitment is becoming a reality. Beginning July 1, 2025, all schools across the state will be required to have a CERP in place. These plans mandate CPR certification for designated staff members and the implementation of practice drills to ensure readiness in the event of a cardiac emergency. Additionally, state funding has been allocated to help schools acquire the resources needed to meet CPR education requirements — an essential component of Georgia's high school graduation standards. expand Everyone has the power to make a difference in a cardiac emergency. Whether you're at school, on a sports field, at church or even in the air, knowing how to respond can save a life. That's what the American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative is all about — giving people the skills and confidence to step in when it matters most. Learning CPR and how to use an AED doesn't take long, but it can mean everything to someone in need. You don't have to be a medical professional to help. You just have to be ready. Together, we can close the gap, strengthen our communities and create a future where no one dies from cardiac arrest simply because help didn't come in time. The next life saved could be someone you love — or it could be yours. The time to become a lifesaver is now. To learn more about the Nation of Lifesavers and how you can support, visit
ABC News
27-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Canberra Brave takes to the ice at AIS Arena as basketball court transforms into hockey rink
Fans are being promised a "northern-hemisphere style game day experience" following the transformation of Canberra's AIS Arena from a basketball court into an ice hockey rink. Reigning Australian Ice Hockey League champions, the Canberra Brave, have officially taken to the ice for the first time in their temporary home in Bruce. The new rink will allow spectators to watch games from full bowl seating — a first for any team in the league. Canberra Brave CEO Stephen Campbell said playing out of AIS Arena was a "significant step" for the team, with hopes it will increase exposure and participation in the sport. "As soon as you walk in the building, you immediately know it's an ice rink, there is that crisp freshness on your face … not unlike a cold Canberra morning," he said. "The boys are playing a top tier sport and it's appropriate they play in a top tier venue." The arena can accommodate more than 2,700 spectators, significantly more than the club's previous venue at the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre. Eleven Brave home games will be hosted at the arena this season, with the first on Saturday against against Adelaide Adrenaline expected to be a sell out. "It really reinforces the decision to move here was the correct one," Mr Campbell said. "There is simply nothing like it. This is a first for not just Canberra, it's a first for Australia. Brave player Matt Clark said he was "excited" to get on the ice in the team's new home. "It's going to be a lot of fun when there is tonnes of people in here," he said. "We came here a couple of weeks ago and there was no ice down, no glass up … the right people have got it done. The rink has been assembled on the floor of the arena using a protective system that prevents damage to the surface beneath. The move to the arena was first announced in April, and Mr Campbell said it was a "massive project" to undertake in a short amount of time. "We have had a fantastic call up from our volunteers who have spent some tireless days and nights … some of these nights have gone until 4am in the morning," he said. Kerry Goulet, who has overseen the transformation, said it started out as a "blank canvas". "We brought some boards, put some mats down, threw some ice on and now we have one of the best facilities I would say not only in Australia but I think it's going to be in South Pacific," he said. "It's like a young boy or girl going to the Christmas tree for the first time and seeing those presents and then opening them up and, 'Wow, we have got an ice rink'." At the end of the season, the rink will be packed down and put into storage, before being constructed again for next winter. The AIS Arena is a temporary home for the team, as it waits for a new multi-purpose ice sports facility, dubbed Canberra Arena, to be built in Tuggeranong. The facility was an election promise made by the ACT government during the 2016 territory election campaign. Environmental concerns have slowed down the timeline, with construction yet to begin. Mr Campbell, who is also one of the developers of the new site, said he hoped the new venue would be ready for the 2028 ice hockey season.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
April 11: Comedy Night Fundraiser
Priority Wellness Campaign is holding a Comedy Night Fundraiser on Friday, April 11, with doors opening at 7 p.m., featuring comedians Matt Clark and Nick Marra at The Strand. All sales go to the Priority Wellness Campaign, which supports ongoing efforts to offer free wellness programs, education and peer support to those who serve the community. Tickets can be purchased HERE. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Yahoo
Kern County law firm creates petition for stricter DUI penalties
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A petition started by the injury law firm Chain Cohn Clark is calling on elected officials to enact stricter penalties, license suspensions and required alcohol monitoring for first-time DUI offenders. The petition has over 1,000 signatures as of March 24, 2025. The petition lays it out clearly. 'Weak sentencing for first-time DUI offenders allows repeat offenses to escalate, often leading to tragic consequences. We felt enough is enough,' said Matt Clark, an attorney with Chain Cohn Clark. 'We have to do something else. There must be something else as a law firm and as a public advocate that we can do. So we started a petition.' The petition is calling state-level lawmakers to make the change, specifically Attorney General Rob Bonta, 34th district assemblymember Tom Lackey, and Governor Gavin Newsom. 'You've gotta have more in the way of a punishment for that first offense to discourage this kind of behavior,' said Clark. 'I think that there is just too many people out there that think a drunk driving arrest and drunk driving prosecution is nothing more than a slap on the wrist.' Mexico City citizen arrested in Bakersfield on suspicion of fentanyl possession, sales In general, for a first-time DUI offense you are looking up to four months of a license suspension, between two days and six months in jail, and up to a $1,000 dollar fine. 'What we're doing now is not working and we're seeing that on our roadways. It's…the consequence is not harsh enough,' said Carla Pearson, a victim advocate for families that lost loved ones in DUI crashes. She's also a victim herself. In 2002, she lost her 23-year-old son, Adam Pierce, at the hands of a repeat DUI offender. 'Until we get that mindset that it's not just a DUI, because that's what people think it's just a DUI. And no, it's not, it's a lot more than that. And families are suffering,' said Pearson. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
