Scholastic Sports Zone Foundation Inc.

The tragic collapse of the Buffalo Bill’s Safety, Damar Hamlin, has raised awareness of cardiac arrest which can affect people of all ages. This event was all too familiar to John and Luann Ellsessar, who are the parents of Mike and Tim Ellsessar who tragically lost their lives to cardiac arrest. #99 Mike was playing in a high school football game on 11/15/2010 in Warren, MA when he collapsed on the field. While CPR was started, there was no Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at the field and it took 15 minutes for the EMTs to arrive, and sadly Michael passed away on the football field at the age of 16. Five years later on 7/29/2015, Tim suffered a cardiac arrest and passed while swimming at the age of 18. Again, CPR was started immediately, but there was no AED available.

John and Luann have once again jumped into action raising awareness for cardiac arrest, the importance of CPR training, heart health, and AEDs throughout the state of MA and beyond.

As our nation comes together to support and pray for Damar Hamlin and all those affected by this traumatic event, we are hoping to raise awareness for cardiac arrest, heart health and safety; the importance of CPR training; and most importantly to raise money to purchase AEDs for organizations in need of this lifesaving equipment. Therefore, we are raising money for the Scholastic Sports Zone Foundation Inc. based in Worcester, MA in honor of the Ellsessars. John and Luann have teamed up with Scholastic Sports Zone Foundation which donates AEDs to schools' athletic programs and other organizations in Massachusetts. They also provide CPR/AED Training and assist with setting up emergency action plans.

Let's not let future tragedies like this happen in our communities. Please donate what you can to support this worthy effort. Together, we can make a difference and save lives.

To learn more about Scholastic Sports Zone Foundation as well as view Mike and Tim's Memorial Tributes please visit: https://scholasticsportszonefoundation.org/