Sudden Cardiac Arrest Legislative Action Day

Dear Friend,

I am writing to you today about an issue of the utmost importance – the safety and health of our children.

Each year, an estimated 2,000 young lives are lost to sudden cardiac arrest. One of them was Aidan Silva – a bright, happy and healthy seven-year-old from our area who tragically passed away from Sudden Cardiac Arrest in September 2010.

I have a bill in the Senate that aims to reduce the number of young lives lost to this sudden and unexplained condition. Senate Bill 606, also known as “Aidan’s Law,” would help ensure that every public school in Pennsylvania has an automated external defibrillator (AED) that is up to date and ready to use.

Now, I need your help to bring attention to the danger of sudden cardiac arrest and urge legislators to pass Senate Bill 606. On Tuesday, October 1, I am holding Sudden Cardiac Arrest Legislative Action Day in the Pennsylvania Capitol. At 11:30 a.m. there will be a press conference in the Main Capitol Building Rotunda featuring several speakers including Blair Allan, a Villa Maria Academy student who survived sudden cardiac arrest thanks to the use of an AED.

Prior to the press conference, individuals and groups will assemble in the cafeteria area off the East Wing Rotunda at 10 a.m. to distribute literature and schedule legislator visits for throughout the day. If you are interested in participating, you can sign up here.

Again, I cannot overemphasize how important it is that Senate Bill 606 gets passed and gets passed now. It was approved unanimously by the Senate Education Committee in June and now awaits a vote by the Senate Appropriations Committee and full Senate in order to go to the House for consideration.

AEDs drastically increase the chances of survival for children and adults who suffer Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Just in the last twelve months, three high school students in Chester County survived a Sudden Cardiac Arrest because their school had an AED and used it successfully.

Please join me on Tuesday, October 1st to send the message loud and clear that AEDs are critical to saving young lives!

Sincerely,

Andy Dinniman
State Senator - 19th District