Northern Kentuckian Cameron Batson collapsed while playing a pickup game of soccer in 2010. The 18-year-old died of an undiagnosed heart condition that caused sudden cardiac arrest.
An AED — automated external defibrillator used to treat life-threatening cardiac issues — was not readily available.
St. Henry Soccer player Matthew Mangine Jr. collapsed at soccer practice 10 years later. While there were AEDs on site, nobody utilized one until EMTs arrived at the scene.
These deaths and many others are something that Rep. Kim Moser (R-Taylor Mill) is hoping to change through a measure she plans to file in the Kentucky House of Representatives.
Speaking at the Kentucky capitol on Feb. 21, Moser said that sudden cardiac arrest is the third leading cause of death. It is happening more often in high school students with undiagnosed heart conditions.
The condition garnered national spotlight when Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2.
“We know that access to and having access to AEDs — automatic external defibrillators — is critical,” Moser said.
Moser’s measure will require all schools to have AEDs at sporting and school-sanctioned events.
“It also requires that all schools have an emergency action plan, which is followed by hands-on rehearsal at the beginning of every team season, or at least annually,” Moser said.
School staff and coaches must also train and be certified in CPR.
Moser is working with Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo (D-Lexington) to add language to existing House Bill 331, which requires schools to have and maintain AEDs.
As chair of the House Health Services Committee, Moser said she plans to prioritize this bill.
Matthew Mangine Sr. spoke at the press conference and said he hopes schools across Kentucky implement education programs and AEDs.
“As we know, sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone at any time, regardless of age or physical fitness,” Mangine said.
After the passing of Matthew Jr., the Mangines launched the Matthew Mangine Jr. “One Shot” Foundation. The foundation seeks to educate folks on sudden cardiac arrest.
After Cameron Batson’s passing, his family launched Cameron’s Cause.
In the days after Cameron’s death, they found out he had Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia — doctors diagnosed his 15-year-old brother, Logan, with the same condition within days of Cameron’s death.
However, with the early diagnoses, doctors implanted a defibrillator that allowed him to treat any dangerous arrhythmias.
Logan spoke at the capitol and said that an essential member of their family was missing. Through Cameron’s Cause, the family partners with Northern Kentucky Emergency Medical Systems to educate, train, and place AEDs at sporting locations.
“We will continue to do everything we can to help prevent tragedies like this from happening,” Logan said.