Jersey City Times
Aaron Morrill
A new SaveStation has been installed in Jersey City’s Newport neighborhood, offering the public access to a life-saving automated external defibrillator (AED). The device was donated by the Katz family in memory of their daughter, Sarah Katz, who died of sudden cardiac arrest in 2022 after consuming a highly caffeinated beverage.
Congressman Rob Menendez joined the Katz family and local advocates last Monday to unveil the station, located near Stevens Cooperative School, which Sarah once attended. The Katz family plans to install SaveStations at every school Sarah attended as part of a broader effort to raise awareness about cardiac emergencies and access to emergency equipment.
“Sarah lived her life making a difference in her many communities, always committed to promoting health, equity, and connection. In her graduation speech at Stevens Cooperative School, she reminded us that we each have 1,440 minutes every day to make a positive impact. This SaveStation AED does just that. It stands as a symbol of Sarah’s enduring legacy—protecting lives, strengthening our community, and continuing the impact she so passionately believed in,” said the Katz family in a statement.
As a child, Katz had been diagnosed with long QT syndrome type 1, a rare disorder of the heart’s electrical system. She allegedly went into cardiac arrest hours after drinking a 30-ounce Charged Lemonade — a highly caffeinated beverage from Panera. At the time, Katz was a junior at the University of Pennsylvania.
The family thanked local partners including LeFrak, ZOLL, SaveStation, and the American Heart Association for supporting the project.
Menendez, who has supported the family’s advocacy efforts, praised their ongoing work and highlighted his reintroduction of the Sarah Katz Caffeine Safety Act, which would require clearer labeling of caffeine content in food and beverages.
“From supporting access to life-saving equipment to introducing legislation for stronger caffeine labeling, I remain committed to protecting public health and working with advocates like the Katz family to prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future,” Menendez said.
The new SaveStation is intended to improve community preparedness and ensure faster response times in the event of a cardiac emergency.
