How many people in your inner circle know CPR? Do you know? It’s been researched and discovered that, sadly, 70 percent of Americans feel helpless to act during a cardiac emergency. This feeling of helplessness is due to improper training or a complete lack of it. This alarming statistic hit’s very close to home- “because home is where 88 percent of cardiac arrests occur.” - CPR.BLOG. Our team at Walt’s Auto Service wants to highlight an event dedicated to changing this significant and deadly statistic for the better. Our shop and crew are close to this organization because its founder is one of our employees’ sons, which we will get to later. Introducing the Heartshield Project. “The Heartshield Project is a non-profit organization with a mission to save lives through education about Sudden Cardiac Arrest, SCA, its risk factors, and the importance of CPR/AED training.”
“Heartshield Project was founded after Austin McAnena collapsed and suffered Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) from an undetected heart condition at the young age of 27. With a 10% chance of surviving, Austin was saved by a Good Samaritan who went out of his way to perform CPR and save his life. Austin’s heart condition went undetected like many others, with 1 in 300 youth at risk. Heartshield Project was founded to spread awareness for SCA, promote heart screenings, and provide CPR/AED training.”
This fantastic organization has rallied its efforts and resources to create the 2nd Annual Heartshield Project Golf Tournament. This event will take place on Friday, October 14th, 2022, at the Tijeras Creek Golf Club - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.
When speaking to the Director of the golf tournament Mathew, it was apparent that this course was chosen for a special reason for the Heartshield Project. Accessibility: The Heartshield project team wants to make their annual fundraiser affordable and accessible to everyone. “The event is accessible to nearly everyone” - Mathew Turcutto. For a total cost of $150, this is a cost-effective charity golf event held just thirty minutes from Orange County. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for The Heart Shield Project. Last year there were an impressive 160 participants, and they hope to grow by at least 25% this year. You can even turn this into a family event as the dinner portion is kid-friendly.
A different organization sponsors each hole in the course, and fun facts are placed around the course to give surprising and interesting facts about CPR. While golfers are waiting for their turn to Tee-Off, there is also personal CPR training hosted by professionals while you wait for your turn!
“The event is more than a fundraiser; it is an educational event; we are getting in front of a variety of people, doctors, medical device companies and salespeople, financial and real estate industries, all the way down to barbershop owners. We aim to get the message out to as many people as possible through the HeartShield Project.” - Mathew Turcutto.
Speaking to Austin McAnena, the founder of the Heartshield Project, we find it amazing the work that he accomplished after his Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). The foundation recently donated an automated external defibrillator AED to a local charter school that did not have one. McAnena was a D1 soccer athlete who lived a healthy life. Matthew notes how many athletes have heart conditions. This impressive organization highlights how these heart conditions can affect even the fittest humans. Two years ago, Austin was out jogging and went into sudden cardiac arrest on the side of the road. If it weren’t for the innocent bystander who pulled his car over to give him compressions, he wouldn’t be here with us today. The Heartshield Project is passionate about teaching everyone the importance of knowing CPR. And our team at Walt’s Auto Service are proud supporters of The Heart Shield Project Golf Tournament on October 14th and hope you will join us. Sign-Up and Learn more about the 2nd annual Heartshield Project golf tournament here.
We hope you have enjoyed learning about the Heartshield Project and their upcoming golf tournament. Please ensure your vehicle is inspected and serviced before heading on any long adventure. When you bring your vehicle to Walt’s Auto Service for brake service, you are not only getting auto repair work on your brakes. You also benefit from the years of training and experience of our auto repair professionals. We work on providing consistently excellent repairs so that you can trust your vehicle to be the safest it can be on the road. Book an appointment online or give us a call!