Source: Advent Health
A Heartbreaking Moment at a Soccer Game
It was a Saturday morning in September of 2018 when AdventHealth Littleton nurse Kara Baker stood on the sidelines of her daughter Avery’s soccer game at Redstone Elementary School in Highlands Ranch. Kara’s parents were there too, excited to cheer on Avery.
The game hadn’t even started when Kara saw something in the corner of her eye, her father, Ed Walsh, collapsing to the ground.
Kara rushed to his side, quickly assessed, and began CPR. She yelled out in desperation, “Someone get an AED! Someone, please—get an AED!” But it was the weekend and the school was locked. The life-saving device they needed was just steps away, inside the school, but out of reach.
An ambulance rushed Ed to AdventHealth Littleton but despite everyone’s tireless efforts, he passed away later that day.
Even after years of living with heart disease, Ed’s commitment to heart health remained steadfast. Ironically, he spent a large portion of his career getting AEDs placed in elementary schools and volunteering at heart screenings, determined to protect others from the tragedy he ultimately faced.
In the days after his death, Kara made a choice: this tragedy would not define her, it would drive her.
Since then, she has hosted multiple heart screenings, raised funds, and secured donations for seven AEDs. In addition, with the support of the AdventHealth Littleton Foundation, Kara has helped install 10 publicly accessible, outdoor SaveStation AEDs across Colorado.
To read more visit: Advent Health
