San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
To make a donation (via secure web form) directly to this chapter: CLICK HERE
Chapter leader Anita Grogan is the wife of SCA Survivor Jack Grogan, an SCAA board member. Together, they have been involved with SCA issues since 2002, including NCED's Survivor Network in Washington, DC. Anita and Jack have been very passionate about local and state involvement and have been working with EMS professionals and fire departments in the Bay Area. One of their proudest achievements is their involvement in the passage of legislation in California requiring that all fitness centers have AEDs.
The chapter is very honored to have Dr. Paul Wang, MD, of Stanford University Medical Center as their medical director. Dr. Wang and his family have been very helpful and supportive in the forming of this chapter.
The San Francisco Bay Area Chapter has been very active since they held their first meeting. Membership keeps growing, and they enlist the help of many others who are interested in this important work. Members are presently working on CPR and AED training in several schools throughout this area of California. Several members are working on Heart Safe City Programs and PAD programs for their cities and counties. Our plan is to encourage more ICD patients to become active in the SCA prevention community. Support groups for survivors, ICD patients, and their families are being organized in the Bay Area. We are very eager to begin work with the other newly formed California SCAA Chapters so that Californians will be better informed about Sudden Cardiac Arrest, the importance of knowing CPR, and how to use an AED. We also plan to work on getting AEDs in many more locations in California. We know that together we will make a difference!
Chapter Leader: Anita Grogan
Medical Director: Dr. Paul Wang, M.D., Stanford University Medical Center, Acting Professor in Cardiovascular Medicine, Director, Cardiac Arrhythmia Service and Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratory
Secretary: Stephanie Lau, Safety Manager, San Jose International Airport, San Jose, CA
Steering Committee Members:
Jim Baum, SCA Survivor, Lodi, CA
Julianne Brawner, Health Education Services, Menlo Park, CA
Captain Jose Chavez, BFO-EMS, San Jose Fire Department, San Jose, CA
Lt. Steve Drewniany, Sunnyvale DPS, Sunnyvale, CA
Jack Grogan, SCA Survivor, SCAA Board Member, San Jose, CA
Pamela Kurtzman, Heart Safe Program Manager, Sequoia Health Care District, Redwood City, CA
Caralee Weich, SCA Survivor, Menlo Park, CA
Dr. Gloria Wu, M.D., Opthamology, Retina Vitreous, Los Gatos, CA
Teen Co-Chairs: Catherine Wang, Saratoga, CA; Lauren Rogers, San Jose, CA; Kelley Grogan, San Jose, CA; Caitlin Rogers, San Jose, CA.
College/Young Adult Co-Chairperson: Margaret Wang, Saratoga, CA
California Group Pushes for Wider AED Distribution
Events of San Francisco Bay Area Chapter October SCA Awareness Month 2011.
The ZOLL AED was presented to the Washington Neighborhood Health Clinic which is part of the Santa Clara County School Health Clinics. We met at the Washington Clinic where we learned of the services that they provide.
One of the Clinic Nurses told us of the recent CPR/AED training that they have completed at a 7th Grade class in which over 300 students were trained! We plan to work with them next year when they will be training more students. Our SF Bay Area Chapter Members were able to share information on the SCAA.
SCA Survivor Jerry Jolliff and his wife Nancy presented the AED. Jerry told the group the story of his save at a local Community Center where he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. He was saved by two teenage life guards who came to his aid.
Left to right:
Celia Morton, Dir. of Fund Develop & Communications
Lauren Rogers, Colleen Grogan (SCAA Members)
Dr. Monica Mensah, MD , Medical Director
Stephanie Lau, Jerry Jolliff, Becky Grogan Rogers (SCAA Members)
Celia Morton, Director of Fund Development & Communications
Dr. Monica Mensah, MD, Medical Director
SF Bay Chapter Members: Jerry Jolliff, SCA Survivor, Nancy Jolliff, Anita Grogan
www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com&nclick_check=1">Organization in Santa Clara County Pushes for Wider Distribution of Automated External Defibrillators – San Jose Mercury News
The American Legion Honors CA Jose Chavez and the late Jack Grogan
The American Legion for many years has honored Firefighers through their Public Safety Awards Program. This year they have chosen CA Jose Chavez and the late Jack Grogan and family to receive the award for Sustained Superior Service for 2010 for their continuing effort in making the City of San Jose a "Heart Safe City". The Heart Safe City project's mission statement is as follows, "Reduce morbidity and mortality associated with cardiac related events" Through CA Chavez' and Jack's dedicated effort the City of San Jose will soon increase the number of AED's from 160 to 500. The program will also dramatically increase the number of residents and visitors to San Jose trained in CPR. The first year program goal would be 20,000 people. The Awards Dinner is scheduled for March 20th 2010 at 5pm. Please contact Garry McLeod for more event information (408) 772-8827. CA Chavez and the late Jack Grogan have demonstrated in their actions a commitment to public safety and through their efforts the entire City of San Jose will benefit. Congratulations.
For more details, click here
Visit YOU TUBE to see several videos on Heart Save City.
YouTube - Heart Safe Program in Willow Glen, CA
A Man Who Used Borrowed Time to Help Others
By Patty Fisher, MercuryNews.com
Jack Grogan knew he was living on borrowed time, and he was determined to make every minute count.
Technically, Grogan died in 2002, when his heart stopped beating while he was sitting on an airplane, waiting to take off. He survived only because a quick-thinking flight attendant shocked him back to life with a portable defibrillator.
After that experience and triple bypass surgery, the hard-driving ex-Marine dedicated his life to making sure others would get a second chance the way he had. He campaigned tirelessly to put defibrillators in public buildings and make sure people knew how to use them.
Complete Story >> http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_14514198?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com&nclick_check=1
SCA Survivors and Family Event
The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District boardroom was filled with sudden cardiac arrest survivors, their families and the public safety personnel who helped to save them, on Wednesday evening.
It was the annual recognition of survivors and the response crews who assisted them, by the Fire District along with the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association and Contra Costa County Emergency Medical Services. One-by-one each survivor came up to the podium and spoke about their experiences and thanked the men and women who helped them.
The survivors included a 10-year-old boy, a father of three, and a man who both survived a cardiac arrest and provided CPR to another person. Each of their presentations had a similar thread, one of thanks and one of outreach to others to become trained in CPR and the proper use of an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator).
SCAA San Francisco Bay Area Chapter members attended a Hearts United Recognition Event where United Flight Attendants who came to the aid of a passenger, Sid Gross of Bowling Green, Kentucky, at a Hawaii airport when he had a cardiac arrest were honored. Jack Grogan of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter was the Keynote speaker.
The honored United Airline Flight Attendants
Survivor Jack Grogan, Keynote Speaker at the Hearts United event
Jack Grogan with Survivor Sid Goss and his wife Gerri. SCAA Hawaii Chapter Leader Pam Foster met with Sid and Gerri in Hawaii and presented Sid with the shirt he is wearing.
Pat Boland, survivor, with his wife Christine at the Awards Ceremony
Pat and Christine with Jack Grogan and SCAA San Francisco Bay Area Chapter leader Anita Grogan
Pat and Christine Boland, Jack and Anita Grogan, and some of the heroes who helped save Pat’s life
On June 2, 2009, at the San Jose, CA City Council Meeting, Mayor Chuck Reed officially recognized National CPR/AED Awareness Week in San Jose. The San Jose Fire Dept -Heart Safe City , The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association , and the American Heart Association together sponsored special awards to four locations for the work they are doing in making the public more aware of SCA and the importance of CPR and how to use an AED. Lives were saved at these locations.
1) Mineta San Jose International Airport
2) H.P. Pavilion
3) Cisco Systems
4) Valley Christian High School.
Pictured left to right: Sgt. Joe Hernandez ( SJPD- AD ) ; Sgt. Rich Brooks ( SJPD- AD ); Sgt. Mike Smith ( SJPD ); Sandra Dixon (bystander who offered her support at the time of the incident); SCA Survivor William Gile (who suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest and was saved at the airport); Stephanie Lau, Safety Manager of Mineta San Jose International Airport.
October 11, 2009
In San Ramon Valley, California a 10 year old boy with a pre-existing heart condition went into cardiac arrest while playing on his scooter. His dad and a neighbor immediately began CPR while his brother called 911. When the paramedics from the San Ramon Valley Fire Department arrived they shocked him with a defibrillator and transported him to the hospital.
Just hours later a 47 year old man went into cardiac arrest. The police arrived first and used an AED to get his heart beating again. Fortunately, AEDs are carried in every patrol car in San Ramon Valley. Paramedics then transported him to the hospital.
Captain Andy Swartzell, mentioned in the article, is a member of SCAA's San Francisco Bay Area Chapter.
Thanks to a defibrillator and CPR used and performed by those that were well trained in how to use those life saving techniques two people are alive today.
Full story from the Contra Costa Times:
San Ramon Valley strives to be 'HeartSafe' community - ContraCostaTimes.com
The San Mateo County 5th Annual Emergency Preparedness Event was held Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 in South San Francisco.The SF BAY Area Chapter of SCAA took part and sponsored a Booth. Demonstrations of CPR and how to use an AED were given to many of the Attendees. SCAA Brochures and Power Point Newsletter were given out. The SCAA bracelets were a popular item. There were approximately 3000 people who attended this event.
Julianne Brawner ( Health Education Services and Pamela Kurtzman ( Sequoia Healthcare District ) both sponsored Booths as well. They are both active Members of SF BAY AREA Chapter. Julianne taught CPR most of the day to many attendees and Pamela's group presented a "Mock SCA" event. Survivors Coach Putterman and Jack Grogan took part in this also.
Congratulations were extended to Member Brian Vierra (right, below) for completing his paramedic certification. Angie Martinez, who has acted as Brian's Supervisor spoke to the group about the great work that Brian has been doing. Brian has also received TWO SCAA HERO awards for helping to save two SCA Survivors.
Pamela Dodson (left, below) from Contra Costa County EMS shared with the group the new banner that will be used in their Heart Safe Community project.This project was introduced and presented to the Chapter by Pamela at the May Meeting. We are very excited to support this project . Jack Grogan and Jennifer Hughes look on.
By Jennifer Bonnett
Lodi Unified has decided not to pull automatic electronic defibrillators out of the district's four high schools.
"They're going to stay where they're at," Chief Business Official Doug Barge said Tuesday after receiving direction from the superintendent.
Superintendent Cathy Nichols-Washer directed the district to essentially take no action regarding the defibrillators, he said.
Read the entire article from the Lodi News-Sentinel here >>
May 27 Chapter Meeting: Member Pamela Dodson spoke to the Chapter on the new Contra Costa County Heart Safe Community proposal, which has been presented recently. Pam is with the Contra Costa County EMS.
Member and survivor Caralee Weich presented the SCAA Hero Award and pins to Sebastian Wong, Section Chief - EMS Operations, San Francisco Fire Dept. Sebastian is her Hero as he helped save her life when she suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest as she leaving a Musical Theatre in in San Francisco.
Board Member Jack Grogan also presented Member Brian Vierra with the SCAA Hero Award for his actions to help save the lives of two SCA victims.
SF Bay Area Chapter members at the Monthly Meeting
Survivor Caralee Weich presenting the SCAA Hero Award and Hero Pin to San Francisco Fire Department A-Section Chief of EMS Operations Sebastian Wong. Sebastian was responsible for Caralee's life being saved when she collapsed from SCA after leaving a San Francisco Theatre Musical Performance.
Jack Grogan presents the SCAA Hero Award and Hero Pin to Brian Vierra, who has helped save two lives.
From Victims to Teachers
San Francisco Bay Area Chapter member Joseph Farrell and SCAA board member Jack Grogan were recently interviewed about their sudden cardiac arrest experiences.
In an article for the Contra Costa Times, Farrell and Grogan recounted their own survivor stories while giving information on the causes and treatments for SCA.
Teens Host "Heart Skate"
Katie Wang was this year's Chairperson of the popular event to raise Awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and the importance of knowing CPR and how to use an AED. The event was held on May 24 at the Logitech Ice Arena in San Jose, California. This year an added event was a Walk a thon held earlier in the day. The Teen members have many other projects they are planning for the upcoming year.
Teen co-chairs of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of SCAA at the recent "Heart Skate" Skate-a Thon. From left to right: Caitlin Rogers, Katie Wang, Lauren Rogers, and Kelley Grogan.
Jack Grogan recently welcomed SCA Survivors Joe Farrell and Jerry Jolliff as SCAA members at a San Francisco Bay Area meeting. They are both eager to become involved in the SCAA organization. Jack also presented Joe Farrell with an SCAA Hero pin, as he had saved a gentleman a few months before his own SCA. The man suffered a cardiac arrest on a Golf course at Lake Tahoe and Joe and others came to his rescue!
Edie Farrell (left) was also welcomed to the chapter by Grogan.
Survivor Jim Baum and Survivor Jack Grogan presented the SCAA Plaque and the SCAA Hero pin to Lt Steve Carillo of the Lodi, California Police Department on February 3, 2009. Carillo saved a fellow police officer's life at the FBI Academy in November.
Baum (left) and Grogan (right) award Carillo (center) for saving a life.
Read about Carillo's heroism HERE.
Projects / Events SCAA San Francisco Bay Area Chapter - January-August, 2009
January - During the months of January and February, Capt Jose Chavez and Survivor Jack Grogan attended several San Jose Neighborhood Association Meetings .They explained the HEART SAFE CITY program . They also discussed the importance of CPR and how to use an AED to those attending the meetings.
January 22, Survivor Jack Grogan attended the AHA Community Strategies Meeting- Western Regions, held in Los Angeles. Jack is a Member on this Committee representing the SCAA and as a volunteer with the San Jose FD.
January 28- SF Bay Area Chapter Meeting hosted by Member Pamela Kurtzman of the Sequoia Healthcare District Heart Safe Program, at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City. ( Please see the AGENDAS of Meetings for more details.
February 3- Jack and Anita Grogan met Jim and Nancy Baum ( all Members of the SF Bay Area Chapter of SCAA ) in Lodi , California to attend the Recognition of Officer Lt. Steve Carillo , of the Lodi Police Department ,who saved the life of a fellow officer. SCA Survivors Jim and Jack presented Officer Carillo with the SCAA HERO AWARD plaque and the SCAA HERO pin that is specially designed to be worn by officers who have saved the life of someone who suffers a Sudden Cardiac Arrest. ( Photo of this Presentation and the story of this SAVE are already on the SF Bay Area Website )
February 20 -22 - Survivor Jack Grogan attended the SCAA Board of Director Meeting held in Washington DC. Jack is a SCAA BOARD MEMBER.
February 25- SF BAY AREA CHAPTER MEETING held at the Mineta International Airport Administrative Offices. ( Please see the AGENDAS of the Meeting for more details.)
April 16 - Survivor Jack Grogan spoke at a San Jose Community Center and discussed the importance of learning CPR and how to use an AED. He also told of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association and provided attendees with the SCAA brochures and information.
April 22- SF BAY AREA Chapter Meeting hosted by John Von Hof at the Alameda County EMS offices in San Leandro, California . Two new Survivor Members , Jerry Jolliff and Joe Farrell , and Joe'swife Edie Farrell were welcomed in to SCAA ! They told the story of their amazing SAVES and were presented with their SCAA Survivor pins. (Please see photos already posted on the SF BAY AREA website and also the AGENDA of Meeting and MINUTES of the Meeting for more details .)
April 23 - Members San Jose Fire Dept. Capt Jose Chavez and Survivor Jack Grogan gave a presentation at the California Fire Chiefs Conference which was held at the St Claire Hotel in San Jose. Capt. Chavez and Survivor Jack Grogan taught CPR and how to use an AED to the administrators.
May 5 - Members of the SF BAY Area Chapter Jack and Anita Grogan presented the SCAA HERO AWARD plaques and pins to the Heroes who saved SCA Survivor Pat Boland's life . The presentation took place at a school assembly at the Menlo School auditorium in Menlo Park , Ca. Pat Boland was refereeing a Basketball game at the school when he collapsed of a SCA. School personnel and parents in attendance came to his aid immediately and saved his life ! Because the school's AED was in the auditorium area it was used very quickly. Julianne Brawner , SCAA Member arranged the ceremony and presentation. ( Please see PHOTOS of the HERO AWARD presentation. )
May 14- The UNITED Airline event " HEARTS UNITED" was held in Chicago to honor United Airline Flight Attendants who have come to the aid of SCA victims. Jack and Anita Grogan attended the event as special guests. Jack was the Keynote Speaker again this year . He told the inspiring story of how he was saved on a UNITED Flight in November , 2002. A fellow passenger came to his aid and performed CPR and the United Flight Attendant used the Onboard AED as she had been trained. Together they saved his life. Jack also told the attendees about the SCAA and the amazing work that they are doing. (Please see PHOTOS of this event )
May 20 - Santa Clara County EMS Annual Picnic and Event was held at a local park . Jack Grogan presented the SCAA HERO AWARD plaque and HERO pin to Dr. RAJ SINGH . Dr Singh had saved Fran Chao at a Community Swimming Pool when he collapsed of a SCA. ( PLEASE see PHOTOS of this Presentation )
May 21 - Member Jack Grogan and Capt . Jose Chavez held a training session for teachers from Morrll School in San Jose. They trained them in CPR and how to use and AED. On June 3rd they will also be training 7th graders at this school .
May 24 - HEART SKATE - the Skate a thon and Walk a thon was held again this year at Logitech Ice Arena in San Jose, Ca. Sponsoring this event was the Saratoga High Skating Club with KATIE WANG as Chair again this year. Katie Wang along with Lauren Rogers, Kelley Grogan, and Caitlin Rogers are the TEEN CO-CHAIRS of the SF BAY Area Chapter. This year's event raised money for the AHA, The Heart Rhythm Society and presented SCAA -SF BAY Area CHAPTER with $1000.00 ! ( Photos of this event are already posted on the SF BAY AREA website )
May 27 - SF BAY AREA Chapter Meeting held at the Mineta International Airport Administrative Offices . An announcement that Steve Drewninany of the Sunnyvale Public Safety (and a Member of SF BAY Area Chapter ) was recently honored by the S J Chapter of American Red Cross for the outstanding work that he is doing ! Many special events are planned by the Chapter for the Upcoming CPR/ AED AWARENESS week in June . ( Please see the AGENDA for this Meeting and also the MINUTES of the Meeting for more information on Projects and activities. )
June 2- CPR- AED AWARENESS WEEK- San Jose City Council Meeting - Mayor Chuck Reed proclaims National CPR/AED AWARENESS WEEK in San Jose, California. The San Jose Fire Dept, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, and the American Heart Association jointly presented AWARDS to four venues in San Jose that have shown outstanding work in their CPR/ AED programs. Those were: Mineta San Jose International Airport, H.P.Pavilion , Cisco Systems, and Valley Christian High School. Lives have been saved at all the locations. ( Photo of this event has been posted on the site )
June 3 - CPR/ AED Training was provided to 337 - Seventh grade students at Morrill School in San Jose, Ca. Capt Jose Chavez and Jack Grogan and others provided the training. ( please refer to photos and News article )
June 4 - CPR/ AED Training was provided to 150 - Seventh Graders at Davis Middle School . Capt Jose Chavez, Jack Grogan, Stephanie Lau, Julianne Brawner ,Lori Lopez, and others provided the training. ( see photos and article )
June 4- Novellus Health Fair was held for Employees. The SF Bay Area had a Booth at this event. CPR was demonstrated to those attending. An AED was also at the booth and demonstrated. SCAA Brochures and information was available for all the 250 plus Attendees. Anita and Jack Grogan hosted the SCAA BOOTH. ( see photo that was sent )
June 5- Cisco Systems CPR/AED Awareness Week Event was held for their Employees. Jack Grogan was the Speaker and also gave demonstrations in CPR and how to use an AED. ( photo sent for this EVENT on June 16 )
June 10 - SCAA HERO AWARD presentation at Contra Costa County EMS Meeting in Pleasant Hill, CA . Event was organized by Pam Dodson of Contra Costa County EMS (and SF BAY AREA Member). SCA SURVIVOR Elizabeth Scroggs suffered a Cardiac Arrest while riding on BART. First Responder was 15 year old SaraBroski who was also on BART. She had just been trained in CPR a few weeks before. She immediately came to the Aid of Ms SCROGGS and performed CPR until the Emergency teams arrived. At the AwardsEvent, SCAA HERO AWARD Plaques and HERO Pins were presented by SURVIVOR Jack Grogan , to Sara Broski , Ambulance Crew Bruce Stricker,EMT and Zackery Morehouse. AlsoFirefighters Captain Rick Stratton, Engineer Mike Espinoza,and Firefighter Joaquin Avila. The SCAA SURVIVOR pin and bouquet of Roses were given to Survivor Elizabeth Scroggs. Several newspapers and three Television stations covered this Event. ( See photo and also the News coverage )
June - AHA COMMUNITY STRATEGIES Meeting in Los Angeles was attended by Member Jack Grogan
June 14- The SCAA HERO AWARD Plaque and Hero Pin was presented to Kelly Hall, by Jack Grogan. SCA SURVIVOR Jerry Jolliff collapsed of a SCA while attending a class at a Community Center in Campbell,CA. Kelly Hall and James Martinez (Lifeguards at the Community Center Pool ) came to Jerry's aid and performed CPR and also used the on sight AED . Together these two young people saved Jerry's life! The SCAA HERO AWARD presentation was made during the celebration event of the marriage of Jerry and Nancy Jolliff ! Jerry and Nancy have joined SCAA and now are very active Members of the S.F. Bay Area Chapter ! Jerry's story of his amazing SAVE is posted on the SCAA Survivor site at www.suddencardiacarrest.org ( Please see photos and news stories )
June 24- The S F BAY AREA CHAPTER was invited to host a Booth at the HCM PATIENT DAY SYMPOSIUM held at Stanford Hospital. Jack and Anita Grogan hosted the SCAA Booth and also attended this very informative Symposium .
August 26 - S F BAY AREA CHAPTER MEETING held at the Mineta San Jose International Airport Administrative Offices. A SCAA HERO AWARD Plaque and Hero Pin were presented by Survivors Jerry Jolliff and Jack Grogan to Survivor Joe Farrell for helping to save a man who collapsed of a SCA on a golf course. Brian Vierra SF BAY AREA MEMBER was also congratulated for receiving his EMT. ( Please refer to the Minutes of the Agenda and Minutes of this Meeting for more details )
August 28 - The San Francisco Fire Dept and S F General Hospital Base Hospital Hosted a SCA SYMPOSIUM. Co-Chairs were San Francisco F.D . A - Section Chief- EMS Operations Sebastian Wong and Sharon Kennedy. Many of the SF BAY AREA Chapter Members attended this Symposium and the Chapter hosted a BOOTH. Survivor Jack Grogan presented the new SCAA DVD and explained to the group the work that SCAA is doing. The KEYNOTE SPEAKER was S F BAY AREA MEMBER and SCA SURVIVOR Caralee Weich . Caralee told her inspiring story of how her life was SAVED by San Francisco F.D. She introduced Sebastian Wong , who is her HERO ! This Symposium was excellent and we look forward to being part of it again next year. ( PLEASE REFER to the PHOTOS of this EVENT.)
August 30 - CPR DAY in SAN JOSE at the San Jose Giants Baseball Game, was sponsored by many groups including the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of SCAA. Many Members of the Chapter took an active role in this important event. CPR training was given to app. 150 people before the game, and several of our Members assisted with this . Two SCA Survivors , Michael Henriques and Jack Grogan were honored to throw out the First Ball of the Game ! The Chapter also hosted the SCAA BOOTH with Teen Members Lauren Rogers, Kelley Grogan, and Caitlin Rogers greeting Attendees . Members, Colleen Gann, Becky Rogers, Dale Grogan and Anita Grogan also attended the Booth. This was a very successful event and we look forward to working on this again next year. ( Please refer to flyer and to photos )
Anita Grogan
298 Esteban Way
San Jose, CA 95119
(408) 234-1936
sfbayarea@suddencardiacarrest.org
Captain Jose Chavez