Teenage Heart Attack Survivor Raising Money For School Defibrillators

PUYALLUP, WA — A teenage heart attack survivor has launched a fundraiser, hoping to bring the lifesaving technology that helped him to others in his community.

On October 2, 2019, Justin Thomas, just 14 years old, suffered a cardiac arrest at Stahl Junior High School. Fortunately, thanks to a quick response from his teacher and other nearby adults, the school nurse was able to use an automatic external defibrillator (AED) to restart Justin's heart and save his life. Now, Justin wants to make sure other kids have the same chance he did.

"According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in school-age children taking the lives of over 2,000 young, seemingly healthy people under the age of 25 every year," Justin writes. "For this reason and my personal story, I am passionate about making sure schools have defibrillators on-site to minimize the time it takes to give someone life-saving treatment."

As part of Justin's Eagle Scout project, he has launched a GoFundMe campaign, hoping to raise money to buy nine AEDs and other medical supplies for Waskowitz Outdoor School. As Justin explains, the environmental education school doesn't have a single defibrillator on-site.

"With the school having around 372 acres of trails that their students and teachers hike and explore; it is extremely important to have defibrillators as a medical emergency can come out of nowhere when putting the body under stress from physical activity. I am seeking nine defibrillators, first aid kits, and backpacks," Justin said. "Eight of the defibrillators will be placed into backpacks with first aid kits and handed out to teachers when their students go out hiking on the trails. Whether life-saving AED treatment or first aid for a cut or broken bone, it is essential for every teacher to be prepared with an emergency backpack."

Justin launched his campaign on Monday, and has already raised more than $2,600 of his $8,000 goal.

>> See Help Waskowitz get Defibrillators - Eagle Project on GoFundMe.

Editor's note: Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.