Man’s heart defect sparks life-saving change
By Brendan King
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SUTHERLAND, Virginia (WTVR) — The Dinwiddie Sports Complex is equipped with two new mobile AEDs to provide life-saving tools and protection for young athletes.
The Automated External Defibrillators, a medical device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest, were installed through a partnership with Dinwiddie County Parks and Recreation, Virginia Department of Health, the American Heart Association, and the Justin J. Davis Heart Foundation.
Justin and his mother, Karen Brown-Davis, founded the nonprofit in 2017 when he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect after going into heart failure while having pneumonia.
“When I was diagnosed, I just went into a mode of how can I help somebody else? Or how can I take the stress off of me and make it a joyful experience or a positive experience for somebody else,” Justin said.
The young athlete received a new heart two years ago and continues to serve the community through food distributions and raising awareness about cardiovascular disease.
“All I could think of if something had happened while he was out there. Did I even know CPR? Would we have an AED to save him?” Karen said.
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation said 89 percent of young athletes who experienced an emergency where an AED was used survived.
“We wanted this AED to make sure that the citizens, the kids, can make sure that they feel safe again. To know that it’s only a couple of steps away and that it’s a timely solution to actually save somebody’s life,” said Quinell Henderson, the county’s parks and recreation director.
Henderson said assistant director Chris Walters spearheaded the effort to get the devices installed in the popular sports complex.
“We just want the message to be you are safe. Your kids are safe. Anybody that comes to Dinwiddie Sports Complex is safe because of the new AED station here at our football field, and also our soccer field on the other side of the complex,” Henderson said.
The foundation hopes to raise funds to install a third AED at the complex’s basketball court.
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