Nick of Time Foundation
Darla Varrenti is a no-nonsense lady. She has a goal, and she will let nothing stand in her way. It has been a long and arduous journey, taking her to lawmakers in Washington D.C. and then back to Mill Creek where it all started. Her son Nick was a robust teen who loved to play high school football. But on Labor Day in 2004, Nick collapsed. The cause of his death was sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA is when the heart suddenly stops its rhythm; it needs an electric shock within minutes to start beating again. There are no symptoms or warning signs. It is the leading cause of death in youngsters between 14 and 24 years of age.
Varrenti is the founder and executive director of the Nick of Time Foundation whose goal is to educate and promote the availability of automated external defibrillators (AED) and provide training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at every school in the Edmonds school district. To this end, the Heart-of-Edmonds organization was created to help educate the community and raise funds to ensure that all schools and playing fields had both AEDs and an emergency plan in place.
Now the defibrillator is a fabulous (and expensive) piece of equipment. It can jump-start the heart of a collapsed person in 30 seconds. It is about the size of a briefcase and needs to be in place where help can get to it quickly, within 90 seconds, in order to be effective. The newer models, which range in price from $1,500 to $2,500, are easy enough to be used by a child. There are verbal, step-by-step instructions and it is virtually impossible to do it wrong or hurt someone.
The defibrillator is the needed help when an accident occurs. But what can we do to prevent sudden cardiac arrest? The first step needs to be a more comprehensive exam before your physician signs the required permission-to-play note. An electrocardiogram (EKG) can detect an irregular beat in the heart and ensure that both parent and child understand the risks. To facilitate this goal, the Nick of Time Foundation has enlisted the aid of the University of Washington and their sports medicine professionals. EKG screenings are regularly scheduled and held on school campuses. The doctor on site will interpret those results right away. The next screening will be at Glacier High School on March 2.
When Varrenti went to see her lawmakers in Washington, DC, it was to ensure the passage of laws to expand the education and preparedness of the youngsters themselves. As of July 23, 2015, Washington is the seventh state to have this bill; one that requires graduating seniors and their parents to sign an affidavit assuring that they have learned CPR/AED techniques and the emergency plan for their community. It is now a required part of the curriculum.
And what about that goal of defibrillators at every school and playing field? Currently all the high schools have at least one, some have more. It is not sufficient to have just one near the field because an accident (SCA) can happen to a parent, guest or teacher any place on campus. It is vital that instructors, students and emergency medical technicians know where the machines are located, so to that end, defibrillators are registered with serial numbers denoting their exact location.
The Nick of Time Foundation is still working hard to raise the funds to equip elementary and middle schools with defibrillators and provide training for teachers and administration. On this, their 10th anniversary, two big fundraisers are scheduled. On February 27 there will be an auction and dinner at Holy Rosary Parish that is sponsored by the Heart-of-Edmonds. The theme is Save-a-Life – Equip a Hero. This refers to the ongoing need for instruction and training with the defibrillators as they become available to each school. The silent auction begins at 6pm and the fabulous dinner begins at 8pm. So get there early to bid on some of the fantastic prizes that have already been donated. Tickets are $100 per person, or you can reserve a table for eight at $800. For tickets or more information, email heartofedmondsproject@gmail.com. If you can’t make it on this date but want to support this worthy cause, you can make a financial donation any time, or perhaps you know someone who can contribute an auction item.
A second fundraiser will celebrate the 10th anniversary for the Nick of Time Foundation and will be on March 5. This gala event, Denim and Diamonds, conjures up all kinds of costume ideas for attendees. This too hosts a silent auction before a delightful dinner. The venue for this event is the West Plaza at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Contact gala2016@nickoftimefoundation.org for more information and your tickets.
I urge you to do all you can to support these important events. You never know when someone you love may suffer sudden cardiac arrest and need that defibrillator. And after all, who doesn’t want to be a hero?
