A wedding is one of the happiest days in people’s lives. But at a recent reception, tragedy struck. That's when Dr. Pedro Suarez sprang into action after a fellow guest’s pacemaker failed, causing her heart to stop beating. The local health professional’s medical skills and rapid response saved her life. 

Mission: The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

On Trend: Nautical Style

Soothing artwork, Jacuzzi tubs, room service and Wi-Fi are typical high-end hotel amenities. But these days, those modern luxuries also can be found in area maternity wards. See local hospitals’ options for welcoming your newborn—all in the comfort of a private labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum suite.

In the 20 years since its founding, Nurses for Newborns Foundation has helped almost 70,000 infants and their families—a staggering number of lives changed through the nonprofit’s efforts. “That’s a whole city of babies who got a better start to life, and whose parents got some reassurance during those early days when it’s so frightening to bring a baby home to a situation without support,” says executive director Melinda Ohlemiller.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) saves lives. Yet many people remain untrained in basic CPR and are less likely to act as a result.

When it comes to hearth health, a lot of attention is focused on heart attack symptoms and prevention. However, the American Heart Association reports that almost 300,000 people each year suffer sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) outside of hospitals. SCA is a dangerous condition in which electrical signals to the heart malfunction, causing the heart to beat in an atypical rhythm.

If springtime plans in your family include creating Easter gift baskets, wouldn’t it be nice to get one already stuffed and fabulous, and give a fragile newborn a helping hand at the same time? On April 17, Nurses for Newborns Foundation hosts A Night for Newborns, the organization’s 13th annual dinner auction featuring the ‘famous’ baskets. “Last year we had one room filled with just baskets, and we expect this year to be the same. They really are amazing—volunteer Patty Ackerman and her team work on them all year!” says foundation CEO Melinda Ohlemiller. “This year we are especially excited, because the auction is the weekend before Easter, so parents and grandparents can go home with a ready-made basket of goodies. There’s something for everyone.”

Statistics show that only one-third of bystanders to cardiac arrest will do anything to help. But cardiac professionals are hoping that the new compression-only CPR guidelines will up that percentage. Under the new guidelines, in a witnessed collapse, the bystander calls 911 and starts rapid deep chest compressions until paramedics or an automated external defibrillator (AED) arrive.

Life-Threatening Allergies

    That’s a winner…Cardinals Hall-of-Famer STAN MUSIAL will head to the White House early next year to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his lifetime of achievement and service. The announcement from the White House last week follows months of campaigning by Cardinals fans, players, coaches and management, including the ‘Flat Stan the Man’ photo project that went viral throughout Redbird Nation this summer.

When…thousands of spectators gathered in Plaza Frontenac’s parking lot to see nearly 250 of the finest exotic and classic cars at the 22nd annual St. Louis European Auto Show? Presented by St. Louis Motorsports, all proceeds from the event will benefit Shriner’s Hospital for Children.

    A mad, mad world…Mad Men star and St. Louis native JON HAMM will be the guest of honor at COCA’s upcoming COCAcabana gala May 2 at the organization’s headquarters. Hamm was thrilled to lend his name and time to the organization that provides arts opportunities to more than 50,000 St. Louis children and adults each year. Tickets begin at $250 and are available at 725-1834 x105, or by visiting cocastl.org/cocacabana.

Year after year, the American Heart Association works to fulfill its mission of ‘building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.’