HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) – A South Florida hospital hosted a powerful reunion between cardiac arrest survivors and the emergency medical services, doctors, and bystanders who helped save their lives.<\/p>\n
The emotional reunion took place at Memorial Regional Hospital for the inaugural Heartbeats and Heroes Luncheon.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know what a wonderful job they did. I\u2019m so grateful,\u201d said Patrick Hendrick, a cardiac arrest survivor.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I\u2019m just really blessed,\u201d said James Alexander, a retired police officer and another survivor.<\/p>\n
Last year, Alexander said he was in bed watching TV when he had a heart attack.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy son said he just heard a loud noise on the floor, so I guess he heard me hitting the floor,\u201d said Alexander.<\/p>\n
His son found him and started CPR.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just went right to it, started CPR, he didn\u2019t hesitate, which probably really saved me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Alexander was admitted to the hospital and discovered that he had congenital heart failure. Three months later, he received a heart transplant, as well as a new outlook on life.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy the grace of God, I just happened to be home, and my son happened to be home also,\u201d said Alexander.<\/p>\n
In all of the survivor stories detailed during Monday\u2019s ceremony, a good Samaritan was present and began CPR immediately before first responders arrived.<\/p>\n
Doctors said that CPR is critical.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese first couple of seconds, first couple of minutes are the most critical time, even before they meet me in the emergency department,\u201d said Doctor Joris Hoogendoorn from Memorial Regional Hospital. \u201cLearning how to do CPR can really, truly save a life.\u201d<\/p>\n
The survivors are forever grateful to those who saved their lives.<\/p>\n
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