Melissa's Story
On January 9, 2023, Melissa Fay suffered a cardiac arrest while running on a treadmill. Her life was saved thanks to the heroic actions of CPR-trained fellow gym-goers, the New Canaan YMCA staff, and New Canaan EMT's, as well as an easily accessible AED. She truly is a Lucky Mother.
We're paying her good luck forward by raising money for MORE GEORGE and IN A HEARTBEAT, local Connecticut organizations. The funds raised will be directed to providing AEDs for local businesses, CPR/AED trainings, and free ECG screenings for kids at local schools.
MORE GEORGE was started by the DiRocco family of Wilton, CT who lost their 16-year old son George to an undiagnosed heart condition in 2020. To honor George, their mission is to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in children by building heart safe communities. They provide free EKG heart screenings, CPR/AED training, and ensure AED machines are accessible within 3 minutes of locations where children play or engage in sports.
IN A HEARTBEAT was founded in 2015 by Mike Papale who survived a sudden cardiac arrest at age 17. In a Heartbeat’s mission is to raise awareness for sudden cardiac arrest and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, to spread the word about the importance of CPR and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and to provide AEDs and emergency training to organizations.
About our fundraiser
On January 9, 2024, exactly one year after Melissa's Sudden Cardiac Arrest, we gathered at Half Full Third Place in Stamford to celebrate. We were joined by members of her care team including New Canaan YMCA staff and New Canaan EMS. We raised over $10,000 and were able to present our very first AED to Third Place.
Watch the video of the presentation here.
Upcoming CPR trainings
May 4, 2024- Italian Center- 10am-12pm
Past CPR trainings
February 10, 2024- Half Full Third Place, Stamford
