Mission: The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, Bakersfield Chapter was formed in memory of my 14 year old daughter, Olivia Corinne Hoff. Olivia died as a result of Sudden Cardiac Arrest due to an undiagnosed heart condition known as Long QT Syndrome. Long QT is a disturbance of the heart's electrical system, causing abnormality of the heart's rhythm. Death from Long QT is preventable through proper diagnosis and treatment. Following this tragic loss, we started a grassroots campaign to raise awareness among schools and youth organizations about the importance of having Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Educating ourselves and others on the issues, obstacles, and benefits of SCA prevention, resuscitation, and treatment. We want to contribute meaningful service to our community. While diverse backgrounds and talents will lend to the success of programming set forth, it is important to establish the specific aims of the local chapter, based on its greatest needs, be it peer support for SCA survivors, awareness of the need for defibrillators in all of our schools, public places, and focusing on SCA prevention. The main outcomes of this support will be: 1) Continued expansion of our work in the community for the prevention of unexpected death among youth and young adults; 2) To provide and encourage increased numbers of screenings to eliminate any parent from having to lose a child to SCA; 3) To promote for training classes of CPR and AEDs; 4) To purchase AEDs The main outcomes of this support will be: 1) Continued expansion of our work in the community for the prevention of unexpected death among youth and young adults; 2) To provide and encourage increased numbers of screenings to eliminate any parent from having to lose a child to SCA; 3) To promote for training classes of CPR and AEDs; 4) To purchase AEDs for placement in the community and launch the Public Access Defibrillator program on a wider scale throughout the community, and 5) Lives saved.

Results: After four years of refusing to give up, the Kern High School District board of trustees voted unanimously to place Automated External Defibrillators known as AEDs on all its campuses. Fundraisers will be held to help purchase and place AEDs in our high schools. Having AEDs deployed at easily accessible locations can allow on-site trained individuals to deliver potentially life-saving defibrillation therapy quickly and effectively. On average, it takes EMS teams in the U.S. 6 to 12 minutes to arrive on the scene. 90-95 percent of all SCA victims die. Most deaths from SCA can be prevented with rapid response and treatment. By placing AEDs on school grounds, not only are students safer, but so are teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and visitors. The Bakersfield-Kern County High School District is the largest in California. This is a huge accomplishment. Defibrillators Approved for Local High Schools http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/School-district-first-in-county-to-have-automated-defibrillators-on-campus-195203071.html?tab=video&c=y

Target demographics: There are 107,719 youth between the ages of 5 and 18 years of age in Bakersfield based upon the 2010 census. We do not have the number of youth of this age group involved in athletics.

Geographic areas served: Bakersfield - Kern County

Programs: SCAA, Bakersfield Chapter has joined forces with Start A Heart Bakersfield, a coalition of our local healthcare organizations, to educate and train school personnel and coaches with CPR/AED training. We are dedicated to increasing the survival rate from Sudden Cardiac Arrest. We are working together to help our community implement comprehensive, long-term, public access defibrillator programs. The Kern High School District board of trustees voted unanimously to place Automated External Defibrillators known as AEDs on all its campuses. Fundraisers will be held to help purchase and place AEDs in our schools.