10/16/2026
"I am too loved to ever have a bad day." ❤️
For years, John has been a familiar face on Louisville's soccer fields. You can usually spot him in the crowd, face painted and proudly showing his team spirit. Whether cheering on his favorite teams or competing in an adult league himself, soccer has always been a big part of his life.
His connection to the game grew even deeper after he witnessed a serious medical emergency on the field. The experience prompted him to ask a simple but important question: Was there an AED nearby? He knew that in a cardiac emergency, having lifesaving equipment within reach could make all the difference.
Just one year later, that belief would save his own life.
During a summer league match, John was sprinting toward the goal when he suddenly suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field. In those critical moments, his teammates became his heroes. They immediately called 911, started CPR, and raced to retrieve the very AED that John had helped bring to the field the year before.
Together, CPR, the AED and the quick actions of his hero's and first responders helped restore John's heartbeat and save his life.
Today, John's recovery is nothing short of remarkable. He continues to advocate for CPR education and greater access to AEDs because he knows firsthand that every second counts. Because the people around him were prepared to act, and because an AED was within reach, John is still here today.
Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. On a soccer field. At work. During a community event. And when it does, immediate action can mean the difference between life and death.
This World Restart a Heart Day, let John's story serve as a reminder that heroes aren't born in emergencies, they're prepared before they happen. Learn CPR. Know where an AED is located. Be ready to save a life.
Because someone you love may be counting on it.
