Make an impact: Cardiac arrest survivors, lifesavers gather for Champions Gala

Survivors and lifesavers gathered earlier this month at the Breslin Center for the third annual Champions Gala, sharing stories about cardiac arrest and the need for AED and CPR training.

Fischer shares story from NHL collapse

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jiri Fischer collapsed on the bench during a game at Joe Louis Arena 20 years ago.

Fischer suffered the first of three sudden cardiac arrests. The collapse canceled the game, the first NHL game in history to be canceled, and ended his playing career.

“Well, it was tough. It happened in stages,” Fischer said when asked what it was like to come to terms with the end of his playing career. “I was naive enough to think that I might be able to play again, and I was 25 years old.”

Fischer said he held onto hope that he would return to the NHL and be part of a team again.

Fischer and Dr. Tony Colucci, the Detroit Red Wings medical director who saved him, shared their story during the gala.

“I think embracing the knowledge and education to the use of AEDs, which can save lives, also with CPR, which is the precursor to doing AEDs, it saves lives,” Colucci said. “And the more people feel comfortable, the more we educate, the more we make people knowledgeable, the more lives we’re going to save.”

Doctor recalls father’s death

For Dr. Omar Francis, the event was a full-circle moment.

Francis came to Michigan State University and, one semester in, got the phone call that changed his life. His 50-year-old father died after suffering a cardiac emergency at work.

“His co-workers had tried to revive him with an AED that nobody quite knew how to use,” Francis said. “This is 2002, so AEDs have come a long way. I don’t know if it was as advanced as the ones we have now. Doesn’t sound like it was. Nobody knew CPR. Sounds like everybody was hesitant.”

As the oldest of four boys, Francis quit school and went to work to support his family.

“Now as an emergency room physician, I can’t help but wonder after we save people all the time going to cardiac arrest, what could have been done with my dad if somebody had knowledge or training or the will and just, you know, know-how to act at that time,” Francis said.

Francis later returned to East Lansing and finished medical school. He said he was excited to be part of the Champions of the Heart event.

The money raised through the event gives people the skills and confidence to act when someone’s heart stops.

“Any time there is a tragedy, it creates an opportunity, which directly results to change,” Fischer said.

Champions of the Heart has donated AEDs to places including the YMCA, Leslie Police Department and Tommy’s Express Car Wash.

A Make an Impact Telethon is planned for Thursday to raise money to buy training AEDs, lifesaving AEDs and CPR training manikins.