A Sewickley Academy student is on a heartfelt mission to promote cardiovascular awareness.
Sophomore Ben Terrell of Sewickley was diagnosed with a heart condition in the seventh grade after undergoing numerous medical tests.
Since then, he’s been vocal about his journey navigating a heart-related diagnosis of anomalous coronary artery. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this means that the coronary artery is either in the wrong location or started in the wrong location in the womb.
“It’s a pretty rare thing but I can play sports — but I have to have an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) present,” Terrell said, which involves transporting a portable AED to all of his varsity soccer games and tennis matches.
Terrell, 15, partnered with Just1Mike, a foundation focused on raising awareness and increasing survival rates of sudden cardiac arrest in youth and young adults.
He spearheaded the instillation of three new public AED SaveStations on campus this summer.
Courtesy of Sewickley Academy
Sewickley Academy sophomore Ben Terrell, pictured in the red shirt by a newly installed SaveStion AED cabinet on campus during a dedication ceremony held on Aug. 19 at Frick Field.
“We want a lot of awareness and we had a demonstration on how to use the AEDs,” Terrell said.
According to statistics provided by The American Heart Association to Just1Mike, sudden cardiac arrest is a public health crisis affecting more than 356,000 people annually, including 23,000 children. It’s the number one killer of student athletes and cause of death on school campuses nationwide.
One in 300 youth are at risk for having an undetected heart condition.
Terrell’s initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance safety measures and promote health awareness among students, staff and visitors on campus.
The new public defibrillator SaveStations are located at Frick Field and the Events Center.
“In the past it was a hassle for me because I had to get the AED from the nurse’s office and it was my responsibility and sometimes people would forget it. Now I have more peace of mind when we’re at all of Sewickley Academy’s fields,” Terrell said.
He completed a CPR class on campus and is open about his medical journey.
“I feel like the awareness is growing. The biggest cause of sudden cardiac arrest is undiagnosed heart issues,” Terrell said. “These AEDs can really save lives.”
October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Month.
photos: Joyce Hanz | TRIBLIVE
Three new Automated External Defibrillators were installed on campus this fall at Sewickley Academy.
“We’re incredibly thankful for the support from the Just1Mike Foundation,” said Ashley Birtwell, Head of School at Sewickley Academy.
In the U.S., approximately 350,000 people suffer from hospital cardiac arrests annually, with only 10 percent of those affected surviving.
The availability of public AEDs are critical when sudden cardiac arrest strikes, and AEDs are available for anyone to use — no training is necessary to use an AED.
The stations are weather resistant and contain clear instructions on how to perform CPR and use the AED. Each cost about $1,500.
“It’s especially important for those who don’t know they have a heart issue. A lot of people don’t know they have a heart condition,” Terrell said.
Sewickley Academy fields are sometimes made available to Quaker Valley District students and professional athletes also practice on campus.
“These SaveStations are impacting our students, but also a whole community,” said Camryn Miller, Sewickley Academy marketing and branding specialist.
Next up is a fall fundraiser organized by Terrell and Sewickley Academy freshman Lucas Wang to raise funds for Just1Mike.
photos: Joyce Hanz | TRIBLIVE
Sewickley Academy athletic trainer Suzi Peluso and sophomore Ben Terrell, 15, of Sewickley photographed on Oct. 8 in the gym.
Terrell partnered with Sewickley Academy athletic trainer Suzi Peluso and nurse Beth Brown to help with coordinate the addition of the new AEDs.
“It was so amazing and had such a heart-felt meaning when Ben joined in to help with the AEDs and SaveStations,” Peluso said. “As a child diagnosed with a heart condition, he decided to educate and to take action rather than be silent. Ben is one of those students that when he graduates, you’re grateful you had the chance to meet him and work with him.”
Ben is the son of Heather and Jim Terrell and has an older brother Jack, who graduated from Sewickley Academy last year.
If you would like to suggest someone to be featured as a Neighbor Spotlight, email Sewickley Herald editor Katie Green at [email protected].
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at [email protected]
