When my daughter Addison was born, I thought the scariest moments would be the usual new mom worries. The first eight months of her life were filled with monitors, medical teams and more complicated words than any parent should ever have to learn. She was born with a congenital heart defect and has already survived two open heart surgeries. I remember holding her tiny hand in the hospital, wondering what her future would look like and praying she would have the chance to grow into the bright, joyful girl I knew she would be.

Today, at nine years old, Addison is thriving. She swims every chance she gets, cheers with her friends and loves school. If you met her on the playground, you would never guess the challenges she has faced. She is happy, healthy and determined. But even with all her strength, I carry a fear that follows me into every school year. I worry about what would happen if her heart needed help and the adults around her were not prepared.

That fear is why I am speaking directly to Arizona lawmakers. Families like mine need you to understand what it feels like to drop your child off at school and silently wonder if the campus is ready for a cardiac emergency. This is not a rare concern. It is a real and urgent issue for parents across our state, with children who have diagnosed and undiagnosed heart conditions. 

Arizona needs to require every school to have a cardiac emergency response plan. We must provide all of our schools with the protection needed to keep our children safe. When cardiac emergencies happen, every second matters. Quick, coordinated action can be the difference between life saved and life lost.

Arizona schools already prepare for fire drills, lockdowns and severe weather. Yet too many do not have a cardiac emergency response plan in place. That means that in a moment of crisis, the very people responsible for protecting our children may not have clear steps to follow.

Imagine you are a teacher watching the playground during recess. A child suddenly collapses. You need to know instantly who calls 911, who starts CPR, who retrieves the automated external defibrillator and exactly where that AED is located. You need a plan that everyone has practiced. Without it, even the most caring and capable educators can be paralyzed by uncertainty.These plans save lives. Schools that have trained staff, accessible AEDs and clear procedures consistently see better outcomes when emergencies happen. Arizona families need reassurance that their children are protected no matter what part of the state they live in or which school they attend.

My daughter has fought too hard for us to leave her safety to chance. She is not the only student who needs this protection. There are kids with known heart conditions. There are student athletes who push themselves on the field every day. There are children with undiagnosed issues who might face a sudden emergency without warning. Every one of them deserves a school that is ready.

My daughter has fought too hard for us to leave her safety to chance. She is not the only student who needs this protection. There are kids with known heart conditions. There are student athletes who push themselves on the field every day. There are children with undiagnosed issues who might face a sudden emergency without warning. Every one of them deserves a school that is ready.

As a mom, I do everything I can for Addison. But when she walks into her classroom each morning, I am placing my trust in our schools and in the leaders who set the standards that keep kids safe.

Our elected officials have a responsibility to protect our children with simple, proven, lifesaving preparation.

I am asking you to act. I urge you to support SB1131 requiring every Arizona public school to adopt a cardiac emergency response plan.  Every child deserves the chance to come home. Please help make it possible. 

Nicole Blossey is a dedicated volunteer with the American Heart Association’s Phoenix division.