Eight survivors of cardiac arrest were reunited with the first responders who saved them at the FDNY’s Second Chance brunch in Brooklyn. The event honored the hard-working EMTs and paramedics who brought these survivors back from the brink of death. The survivors ranged from a teenage boy to a 78-year-old marathon runner, each with their own touching story of survival. FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh highlighted the gratitude, relief, and joy that first responders bring to families, often unknowingly, with their actions.
One of the survivors, Dylan Garcia, collapsed during gym class at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Academy and was saved by quick action from first responders who performed CPR and used a defibrillator. Doctors later found that he had an inflammation hindering his heart’s ability to pump blood following a COVID-19 infection. Garcia is now in good health, plays basketball, and aspires to be an electrical engineer. Lieutenant Ricardo Otero, who helped save him, expressed the team’s satisfaction at being able to give Garcia a chance to fulfill his dreams.
Another survivor, 78-year-old Yi-Joo Kwon, collapsed during the NYC Marathon and was treated by first responders who performed CPR, shocked him with a defibrillator, and transported him to the hospital where he received stents on his heart. Kwon has since recovered and plans to run another marathon. Through his daughter, he expressed gratitude to his rescuers for saving his life. This touching reunion highlighted the life-saving work of first responders in critical moments.
Wilfredo Ruiz, a 60-year-old man from Brooklyn, was found on the floor of his home by his wife and was saved by first responders who performed CPR and resuscitated him. Ruiz expressed his gratitude for the EMTs who saved his life, and his near-death experience has inspired his daughter to train as a paramedic. Lieutenant Sencia Datilus, who played a role in reviving Ruiz, was moved to tears when meeting him again, emphasizing the emotional impact of seeing someone brought back to life after their heart had stopped.
This heartwarming reunion showcased the powerful bond between survivors of cardiac arrest and the first responders who saved them. The event allowed survivors like Garcia, Kwon, and Ruiz to express their gratitude and share their stories of recovery. The emotional impact on both the survivors and the first responders was evident, with tears of joy and heartfelt expressions of thanks being exchanged. Through these reunions, the life-saving work of EMTs and paramedics was celebrated, highlighting the importance of their actions in moments of crisis.
The event served as a reminder of the critical role that first responders play in saving lives and the lasting impact they have on the individuals they rescue. The stories of survival shared by the survivors underscored the importance of quick action, skillful intervention, and compassionate care provided by the first responders. The emotional connections formed between survivors and their rescuers were evident in the tearful reunions and heartfelt expressions of gratitude. The ceremony at the Liberty Warehouse in Brooklyn was a powerful tribute to the survivors’ second chances at life and the dedicated work of the first responders who made it possible.
