Shane, age 21, died in his sleep on an Army base at Fort Wainwright Alaska in November 2013. He was born premature at 24 weeks, but went on to thrive with no known health problems. Shane joined the Army after high school and passed all of his physicals and basic training. The underlying cause of his cardiac arrest is unknown.

Ian, age 7, went into sudden cardiac arrest at home on February 12, 2016. He was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.  The next day, he was transported to an out of state children’s hospital where he was treated for two and a half weeks. It was quickly discovered that Ian had Long QT Syndrome, which was exacerbated by Zithromax, an antibiotic he had been taking. He also suffered brain damage from his cardiac arrest.  Ian’s family took him home, where he passed away on March 6, 2016.   Genetic testing revealed that Ian was born with the gene mutation.  His family tested negative for Long QT.

Michael, age 12, collapsed on March 10, 2006, while playing capture-the-flag at school in PE class. CPR was performed. The school had an AED, but it was forgotten until it was too late to save Michael.

Christopher, age 19, was very active in sports, including golf, skiing and mountain biking. He had always been healthy and his doctor visits mainly consisted of well checkups. After receiving the H1N1 vaccine, Christopher exhibited flu-like symptoms that seemed to go away. He passed away in his sleep on November 20, 2009, one month after receiving the vaccine. The cause of Christopher’s death was viral myocarditis.

Alec, age 17, was an honor roll student, band member and three-sport athlete. He collapsed after complaining of feeling lightheaded during hockey practice. CPR was administered immediately and by the time the AED was retrieved paramedics had arrived. Alec had no prior symptoms or a known heart condition. The cause of death was Myocarditis. Postmortem genetic testing of Alec’s tissues was negative. His brothers had a full cardiac work.

Matthew suffered a cardiac arrest two days after his 16th birthday while playing basketball. He received CPR and three AED shocks before heart rhythm returned, but remained in a coma for 12 days before passing away on July 18, 2001. He was an active swimmer and roller hockey player. Cause of death was undetected Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Kristoffer, age 22, suffered a sudden cardiac death on May 27th 2016 while visiting his grandparents in Norway. He was a healthy and active young man that cared greatly for his siblings, family, friends and people around him. Kristoffer was an active cross country and long distance track runner through high school and early college years. He had not had any previous indications or prior history of heart problems. Kristoffer cause of death was cardiomyopathy.

Andrew, age 15, was playing baseball when he held his head and told another player that he didn’t feel well. Shortly thereafter Andrew collapsed in cardiac arrest. He had no symptoms and rarely got sick. The cause of death was viral myocarditis and bicuspid valve.

Brian, age 14, was an A student, played the cello in his middle school orchestra, and enjoyed internet computer games. Brian, his sister, and his mom were diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Then 9 months later, when his mom and sister were home, Brian went into the bathroom to take a shower and went into cardiac arrest, before he could even turn the water on. His mom found him approximately 5 minutes later, started CPR, and called 911. But it was too late. His mother and sister now have implanted defibrillators.

Ryan, age 18, was a seemingly healthy college freshman at Virginia Tech, when he died suddenly and without any warning at his home. He had come home from college for the weekend and was getting ready for his sister’s basketball game when his father found him collapsed in the shower. After his death, it was discovered that Ryan had an enlarged heart.

Kevin, age 15, collapsed on his way to class. He had been diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy and received a heart transplant 18 months prior to his fatal cardiac arrest. His death was linked to organ rejection.

John, age 17, collapsed in cardiac arrest after a stick check to his chest during a club lacrosse game on November 30, 2006.  It took 19 minutes to get an AED to the field to restart John’s heart. John suffered irreparable brain damage and was removed from life support three days later and became an organ donor. Following John’s death, a benefit was held by family and friends.  The money raised was used to purchase 21 AEDs; 21 was the number John wore on his lacrosse jersey.