A Second Chance at Life: The Power of CPR and Advocacy for Change

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A Second Chance at Life: The Power of CPR and Advocacy for Change

At 49 years old, John Harrity was living his healthiest life with no signs of heart disease. Then, out of the blue, a Widowmaker heart attack changed everything. What could have been a tragic ending instead became a story of survival—thanks to CPR and quick action by a friend.

In those critical moments, a 911 dispatcher guided John’s friend through performing CPR, sustaining his life until professional help arrived. John’s survival highlights the incredible life-saving power of CPR, yet many are not as fortunate. The availability and accessibility of this knowledge can mean the difference between life and death, regardless of age, gender, or background.

John has since partnered with the American Heart Association (AHA) to raise awareness and improve outcomes for others. Together, they aim to close gaps in care, particularly those driven by gender disparities in CPR administration. At the AHA’s recent Scientific Sessions, new research emphasized how 911 dispatchers play a pivotal role in bridging these gaps, ensuring that both men and women receive timely, life-saving intervention.

Hear John’s story below.

 

 

John’s message is clear: education and preparation save lives. By learning CPR and advocating for equitable access to life-saving knowledge, we can create a future where more people have a fighting chance.

Give the Gift of Hope This Holiday Season

This holiday season, you have the opportunity to join the fight for heart health and support life-saving initiatives. Harrity 4 Charity is committed to making a difference. We are matching up to $25,000 in donations made to the American Heart Association through the end of the year.

Your contribution can help fund groundbreaking research, educational programs, and resources that save lives. Every dollar you give will have double the impact, ensuring that more families have the chance to celebrate another holiday together.

Take action today. Donate to the American Heart Association and help us build a healthier, safer future for everyone. Together, we can close gaps, save lives, and create lasting change.

Make Your Donation Here

Let’s make this season one of generosity, hope, and life-saving impact.

 

About Harrity 4 Charity

Harrity 4 Charity represents a partnering of law firm Harrity & Harrity, LLP, with charities that are near and dear to our hearts. Harrity pledges to give five percent of profits to partner charities and all Harrity employees pledge to donate a portion of their paychecks. Harrity & Harrity is a patent preparation and prosecution firm specializing in the electrical and mechanical technology areas and is considered a Go-To Firm for the Patent 300 ™. Our clients have come to trust in our high-quality work, experienced people, industry leading innovation, and outstanding service. For more information, visit harrityllp.com.

John Harrity Shares Survival Story to Raise CPR Awareness

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Virginia Lawyer Saved by CPR Shares Story to Raise Awareness

By Diane Bernard

FAIRFAX, Va. – A lawyer in Fairfax had a sudden heart attack and was saved by a friend’s knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Next week is National CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week, and now he’s challenging folks to join a fundraiser to support research for these life-saving procedures.

In 2016, John Harrity was a healthy, 49-year-old athlete who followed a strict diet and had no family history of heart disease. Playing in a weekly basketball game, he felt like he couldn’t breathe and suddenly fainted. Harrity had what he described as one of the worst types of cardiac arrest – a so-called “widow-maker.”

“Luckily, that night my friend called 911 immediately, and within seconds of me hitting the ground, they were performing CPR – and that saved my life,” he said. “I mean, it is the reason that I am here today.”

Harrity encouraged people to watch the American Heart Association’s Hands-Only CPR video to learn how to help in a heart-attack emergency. Another way is to participate in the upcoming Washington, D.C., “Lawyers Have Heart” 10-K race. The free event is open to everyone and will be held online the weekend of June 11. More information is online at lawyershaveheartdc.org.

Federal data show heart disease remains the number one killer in the nation and the second-leading cause of death in Virginia. Harrity pointed to his own experience as evidence the chances of survival are double or triple if CPR is performed immediately after cardiac arrest. He noted the urgency behind learning the life-saving technique.

“Seventy percent of out-of-the-hospital cardiac arrests happen in the home,” he said, “and only about 46% of people who experience an out-of-the-hospital cardiac arrest receive that immediate help that’s needed, including that CPR.”

More than 350,000 Americans have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting each year, and about 90% of those are fatal, according to the American Heart Association.

Click HERE to listen to the newscast on Public News Service.

Join us for the 31st Annual Lawyers Have Heart free virtual event in support of the American Heart Association, the largest organization dedicated to educating the community on heart disease & CPR. Register here.