Upon arrival at Altoona UPMC, Dr. Adam Blescia, and Cardiology professionals Dr. George Jabbour and CRNP Kristi Montrella with a group of ER professionals, received the ambulance and continued to provide services. At the time of arrival, Spencer had begun breathing (with the help of oxygen) and vitals were improving, due to the quality CPR given to him. He was transferred to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh for a 7 day stay. He was discharged home however he wore a Zoll ™ Lifevest which monitored his heart and would deliver a shock if he went into a fatal rhythm. Luckily he never did. His workup was negative and he was officially diagnosed with Commotio Cordis, the same rare condition NFL player Damar Hamlin suffered on national TV January 2, 2023.
What if…. What if this was your child? Would the coaches have been CPR trained? Would the facility had an AED? If this story upsets you and makes you worry, well it should. This scenario could have easily had a very different outcome. Although Spencer’s diagnosis is extremely rare, sudden cardiac death can happen anywhere and at anytime. The four individuals who resuscitated Spencer, were CPR trained, but not because Pennsylvania requires this of coaches. Let this be a call to action, ask questions, locate AED’s, get yourself trained, and advocate for CPR training for coaches at all levels. In 15 minutes, those 4 people became heart heroes, but most importantly they saved the life of a child.
So many stars aligned the day of September 18, 2024, for this event to have a positive outcome. The quick response by all First Responders were recognized after the data from the AED was downloaded and the UPMC Children’s Hospital doctors were able to view. Thanks to all the First Responders and teams that saved Spencer. The hope is that great things will come out of this in the community we live in and that others have the same response and outcome.