Cardiac Emergency Response Plans Save Lives

One of the members of our EP Save A Life Family survived a sudden cardiac arrest thanks to the coordinated and well-practiced efforts of the McGrath YMCA staff—a reminder that everyone needs to be prepared to use CPR and an AED in a cardiac emergency because SCAs don’t usually happen in front of trained responders. Watch

Local Student Survives SCA

After Andy Novelo, a senior basketball player at El Capitan High School, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at basketball practice and survived thanks to school staff delivering CPR and immediate EMS arrival with an AED (he was later diagnosed with WPW), KUSI invited the Eric Pardes Save A Life Foundation to talk about the critical need for early detection heart screening to protect young hearts. Watch

Back-To-School Screening Finds 9 Abnormalities

Thanks to a cohort of amazing medical and lay volunteers we screened 667 youth at Carlsbad High School on August 25, 2024, finding 9 with abnormalities that required follow-up—4 serious enough to cause sudden cardiac arrest. Read more

40,000th Teen Screened

Our Heart Month 2024 event marked our 70th screening and 40,000th teen screened in the 15th year after losing Eric Paredes to an undetected heart condition. Family and friends touched by the foundation’s work share their stories to underscore why preventative heart screening is critical to finding youth at risk.

EP Save A Life Marks 40,000th Teen Screened

The foundation’s 70th free youth heart screening at Eric’s alma mater, Steele Canyon, during Heart Month kicked off the 15th year since losing Eric to sudden cardiac arrest, and in his name the 40,000th teen screened. His life-saving legacy was witnessed by 150 volunteers, including youth screened and found at risk who came back to lend their hearts and hands to this milestone event. You can view some of the news coverage here, here, here and here.

Fox 5 Showcases Sudden Cardiac Awareness Month

Rhina Paredes-Greeson share what EP Save A Lifes does this month and every month to help parents, schools, team and medical providers to protect young hearts. Watch

CBS 8 Talks with Families With Youth Lost to SCA

Cristian’s Big Heart and EP Save A Life talk about what families can do to protect young hearts. Watch

Televisa Univision Features EP Save A Life

De Viva Vos interviews Hector Paredes about the foundation’s work to provide free sudden cardiac arrest resources to the community. Watch

National Report on Sideline Safety

EP Save A Life was included in a national round-up of organizations working to protect young hearts on the field. Read more.

EP Save A Life Interviewed in Wake of Bronny James’ SCA

With the news of Bronny James sudden cardiac arrest in July 2023 EP Save A Life is tapped to share more about preventative heart screening and what to do in a cardiac emergency. More

EP Save A Life Discusses How Heart Screenings Are the New Standard of Care

Rhina Paredes-Greeson shares how old-school practice to screen only youth who display symptoms or risk factors misses up kids at risk from an undetected heart condition. Read more

ABC 10 News Shares EP’s Work to Prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Our friends at 10 News recognize the efforts our foundation is making to save young lives. More

Fox 5 News Includes EP Save A Life in Bronny James Story

Our friends took the opportunity to share sudden cardiac arrest prevention initiatives we’re leading in San Diego. More

Son’s sudden death drives parents to bring heart screening to young adults

We screened 594 youth at Santana High school, finding 9 with cardiac abnormalities requiring follow-up— 5 serious enough to cause sudden cardiac arrest. Read more

Santee high school hosts free youth heart screening

Participants get a cardiac risk assessment, ECG, consultation with a cardiologist and if indicated, a limited echocardiogram, which everyone getting hands-on education about what to do in a cardiac emergency. Read more

County of San Diego Names EP Save A Life Public Health Champion

To mark National Public Health Week, San Diego County Department of Health & Human Services honored the Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation for its work in advancing public health and protecting the health and safety of San Diegans through its mission to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in youth. View Story

Remembering Marco During Live Well San Diego’s Love Your Heart Press Conference

A courageous Kristina Cordileone shares her story of losing her son, Marco, to an undetected heart condition that caused sudden cardiac arrest, and how she’s worked with the Eric Paredes Save A Life foundation to educate his school community on warning signs, risk factors, early detection screening and what to do in a cardiac emergency. View Story

Love Your Heart Good News Story About Early Detection Heart Screening

The Wells Family shares the story of Carson’s undetected heart condition that was discovered at an EP Save A Life screening on a Love Your Heart Week report by KGTV Channel 10. View Story

February 5 Cardiac Screening Marks Heart Month

Rhina Paredes-Greeson discusses the upcoming screening for youth ages 12 to 25 as well as other tools to help prevent sudden cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. View Story.

How Anyone Can Call-Push-Shock to Save A Life

Hector Paredes visit’s KUSI’s Good Morning San Diego in the wake of Damar Hamlin’s televised sudden cardiac arrest that was attended to by 27 trained responders to show how anyone call Call Push Shock to save a life. View Story.

What’s Vital to Youth Sports

What became obvious to many after Damar Hamlin’s sudden cardiac arrest during a nationally televised NFL game is that all youth deserve the same access to life-saving cardiac emergency response. Thanks to Fox 5 San Diego for covering this story. View Story

Remembering Marco at Our Oceanside Screening

We screened 343 youth in honor of a student lost to sudden cardiac arrest last year at Madison Middle School, finding 6 with cardiac abnormalities—1 serious enough to cause SCA.
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K-LOVE’s Closer Look Raises Awareness of SCA In Youth

K-LOVE Radio dedicated a Closer Look podcast focused on local families and organizations with inspiring stories to the Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation.  Listen to Podcast

26 AEDs Donated to San Diego Unified School District

Our ongoing partnership with local schools and San Diego Project Heart Beat has helped make school campuses safer from the leading cause of death.  View Story

EP Save A Life Recognized at San Diego County Fair

The San Diego County Fair’s 2022 theme, Heroes Reunite, honored individuals nominated to be recognized as Community Heroes.  View Video

EP Save A Life Petitions to Expand ECGs to CA Kids Through SB1135

American Heart Association and CA’s College of Cardiologists blocking bill

The California Youth Cardiac Screening Pilot is in jeopardy of being heard in the Assembly Education Committee because special interests are using decade-old data to argue that ECGs are not meant for youth without warning signs—even though at least 50% of youth stricken by sudden cardiac arrest had no symptoms or significant family history, which is why  EP advocates for screening all youth.  View Story

Two San Diego Foundations Donate 26 AEDs to San Diego Unified School District

Smart Hearts Assembly Educates the Next Generation of Life Savers

EP Save A Life partnered with San Diego Project Heart Beat to donate new AEDs to replace aging devices in one of California’s largest school districts. To mark the donation during CPR-AED  Awareness Week, EP presented a Smart Hearts assembly to help educate the next generation of life savers.  View Story

Call-Push-Shock Partners Urge Public to Learn CPR and How to Use AEDs

EP Save A Life joins 50+ partners around the country during CPR-AED Awareness Week in a national campaign to help increase the sudden cardiac arrest survival rate.  View Story

SB1135 Passes Unanimously Through Senate

The California Youth Cardiac Screening Pilot, a three-year initiative which aims to both surveil and serve youth at risk for sudden cardiac arrest, is being advanced by Senator Brian Jones.  View Story

EP Save A Life Surpasses 35,000 Free Youth Heart Screenings

April 3 marks 60th screening event since 2010 View Story

Lawmakers want to screen youth for cardiac disease

New bill proposes a youth cardiac screening pilot to gather data on the 1 in 300 at risk for sudden death. View Story

Youth heart screening finds 5 with abnormalities

Kearny High event screened 359 youth finding five with cardiac abnormalities – 3 serious enough to cause sudden cardiac arrest. View Story

Senator Jones remarks on SB1135 at San Diego youth heart screening

The California Youth Cardiac Screening Pilot passes unanimously through Senate Education Committee in advance of free heart screening for 359 students. View Story

AED Donation Remembers Marco, Lost to SCA

In its continuing partnership with Madison Middle School to remember Marco Benitez, the 13-year-old student lost to sudden cardiac arrest from an undetected heart condition last October, the Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation donated an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the school’s outdoor area.. View Story

Participation in National ECG Study Aims to Change the Standard of Care

EP Save A Life is proudly participating in the Cardiac Safety Research Consortium’s Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young National Cardiac Screening Warehouse Pilot Study, a one-of-a-kind collaboration to demonstrate the impact of cardiac safety evaluation of our youth. The FDA uses an ECG data warehouse to support cardiac safety review in adults, but until now, there has been no equivalent for children. Our efforts have already contributed to the improved efficiency and quality of ECG data collection, leading to an unprecedented volume of reliable real-world data that we hope will change the standard of care. View Story

EP Save A Life Shares Resources with Community Following Loss of Middle Schooler

As the community reals from the loss of a 13-year-old boy, KGTV Channel10 asked us to share information on what parents should know about sudden cardiac arrest and prevention. Heartfelt gratitude to Vanessa VanHyfte for following our story. View Story

13-Year-Old Lost to Undetected Heart Condition

Our hearts go out to Marco’s family and friends and his school community in the wake of his loss to sudden cardiac arrest caused by an undetected heart condition. One more reason to continue to fight for better preventative care to protect young hearts. View Story

Girl Scout Gold Award Pushes Prevention

San Diego Girl Scout Lauren Despres focused her Gold Award – the highest honor in Girl Scouts – on sudden cardiac arrest prevention in youth. Check out her video on how everyone can be ready to recognize and respond!

EP Save A Life Co-Sponsors AB856 to Help Inform California Parents About COVID’s Impact on Heart Health

COVID-19 Youth Return to Physical Activity Information Act keeps parents connect with the latest guidelines for youth who’ve been symptomatic or diagnosed with COVID. View Story

EP Save A Life Participates in First National Pediatric Cardiac Screening Database Pilot

The Cardiac Safety Research Consortium (CSRC) announces the establishment of a first-in-kind national database of pediatric cardiac screening information aimed at advancing the ability to discover potentially dangerous pediatric cardiac conditions and preventing sudden cardiac arrest or death in young people (SCDY). View Story

#AloneTogether in Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention

Learn how anyone can help save a life during COVID by participating in this year’s virtual 5K!
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San Diego Voyager Profiles EP Save A Life

The Paredes Family is recognized for the contribution they’ve made to protect young hearts in San Diego and beyond.
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EP Sponsors Law to Protect Youth in Community Sports Programs

Our new law will now extend SCA prevention protocol beyond schools to community youth sports programs. AB379 takes affect in January and we’ll have a toolkit of free resources to help your team comply later this month. Help us create a culture of prevention where our kids live, learn and play! View Story

Sudden Cardiac Survivor, Austin McAnena

Hear Austin’s incredible story and learn the facts about AEDs. Hint: They’re not just for Emergency Personnel! View Story

97.3 The Fan; Coach Kentera High School Football Show, Thursday 8/5/19

EP Save A Life Program Manager Joanie Moes shares a life-saving opportunity for youth ages 12-25 this Sunday. Listen

EP Save A Life removes any fear of using an AED to save a life

Anyone can save a life from being lost to Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Co-Director Maureen Legg and Program Manager Joanie Moes show us how. View Story

EP Save A Life and Cristian’s Big Heart Partner to Save Lives

Read more about an annual 5K benefits free youth heart screenings and AEDs for schools in San Diego.View Story

A Heart for Subs!

Jersey Mike’s Subs has partnered with EP Save A Life to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest in youth and funding for free youth heart screenings.
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EP Save A Life Receives Cushman Foundation Making A Difference in San Diego Grant

Our South Bay SCA Prevention Pilot was generously funded to support a community-wide initiative in collaboration with the Chula Vista Elementary and Sweetwater Union High School Districts, San Diego Project Heart Beat, Cristian’s Big Heart and Supervisor Greg Cox’s Neighborhood Reinvestment Program.View Story

EP Save A Life Featured in National #WhyItMatters Campaign

Emerg-A-Center is featuring foundations across the country dedicated to protecting young hearts. Check out our story! View Story

Oceanside Heart Screening Marks Anniversary of Eric’s 25th Birthday

A great month to get youth screened, especially for all student athletes getting sports physicals, which do not screen for heart conditions that put youth at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Parents should be vigilant about knowing the warning signs and family risk factors and properly completing medical paperwork. Watch

Inspiring San Diego: Son’s Death Inspires Heart Screening Mission

NBC 7 recognizes the work of EP Save A Life to protect young hearts on the occasion of it’s 10th anniversary year, 50th free screening and 30,000th youth screened. Watch

The Fan 97.3 Marks 30,000th Youth Screened

San Diego’s legendary high school sports commentator, Coach Kentera, invites youth to get a free heart screening to help prevent sudden cardiac arrest – the #1 killer of student athletes. Listen

Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs join hands to save hearts

Nine AEDs equip club facilities serving 15,000 youth and adults and marks the beginning of a model partnership to incorporate SCA prevention in community youth organizations. View Story

She’s A Gamer

Cochella Valley’s “She’s A Gamer” Radio Personality Cristina Walters Talks with EP Save A Life About SCA Prevention in Youth
Listen

Screen Your Teen Comes to Chula Vista, Offers Potentially Life-Saving Exam

EP Save A Life partners with Sweetwater Union High School District to provide free youth heart screenings, which were generously underwritten in part by Cristian’s Big Heart, a South Bay foundation that hosts an annual 5K in memory of a youth lost to sudden cardiac arrest.
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Why ECG Screenings Are More Effective

New international ECG interpretation criteria, innovative tools and robust screening models are changing the way we can prevent sudden cardiac arrest in young people.
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Retired CHP commander recalls time in Lake County

Retired CHP commander recalls time in Lake County, talks of mission to prevent sudden cardiac death in young people.
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Eric’s Foundation Featured on San Diego Prep Insider

The episode, which aired on Fox Sports San Diego, featured Eric’s parents Hector Paredes and Rhina Paredes-Greeson, and volutneers Carly Grier and Jacob Li during a free heart screening at Sage Creek High School. Watch the video

Mom of Teen Found At Risk Featured on Good Morning San Diego

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the number one killer of student athletes. Diana Li, mother of a student that had the free screening and was saved by preliminary findings, encourages parents to screen their teens. Sarah Thompson, Executive Director, shares the details of the upcoming Screen Your Teen events. Watch the video

Quest to Save Young Hearts Gaining National Footing

Legislation focuses on educating people—especially parents and coaches—about sudden cardiac arrest.View Story

Homegrown Heart Bill Signed Into Law

The Eric Paredes Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act aims to prevent sudden cardiac arrest among student athletes. It was sponsored by Assemblyman Brian Maienschein and approved by Gov. Jerry Brown on Sept. 29. View Story

Foundation Offers Free Heart Screenings for 12- to 25-Year-Olds

Screening held at Ramona High School on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. View Story

Heart Screening for Teens in Chula Vista

Screening participants share their experience. Watch the video

Teens Get Free Heart Screening

Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation offers EKG, CPR training to teens in hopes of preventing sudden cardiac arrest. Watch the video

National Radio Program Showcases EP Save A Life

Hector Paredes was interviewed by For the Record, a national radio program featured on 100+ stations in the Family Radio network. In addition to Sudden Cardiac Arrest warning signs and symptoms, Hector shared with listeners how to find a screening program in their area. Listen Here.

Good Morning San Diego Highlights Free Heart Screening

Rhina Paredes and Sarah Thompson shared with KUSI TV viewers the importance of the Screen Your Teen program on May 21, 2016.

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Yuma Teen’s Life Saved by Free Heart Screening and Surgery

EP Save A Life mentors Yuma Regional Medical Center to create local youth heart screening program.
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Heart Foundation Rooting for State Bill

Asm. Brian Maienschein introduced the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act, AB1639, which expands student athlete safety standards to include ‪‎Sudden Cardiac Arrest‬ protocol.
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“Focus on Issues” Features EP Save A Life Foundation

Hector Paredes discusses Assembly Bill 1639 and the importance of screening your teen with KECR.
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Heart Screenings Save Lives at El Camino

Screening remembers 15-year-old student lost to sudden cardiac in 2010.
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Student Bake Sale

Students at Design 39 hosted a bake sale help support free heart screenings for youth. Sales from homemade cookies, cupcakes, Madelines and more raised $210.56. Eric’s Foundation is very grateful for this enterprising and compassionate—and delicious!—donation.

Radio Helps Spread the Word About Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention

KECR 910 AM Helps Spread the Word About Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention
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Free Heart Screening Could Save A Teen’s Life

May 3 is proclaimed Eric Paredes day in honor of what would have been his 21st birthday, while 472 youth are screened, finding 5 more at risk.
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Eric’s Foundation Receives 2015 CATA Special Service Award

Eric’s Foundation was honored to accept a very special recognition from the California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA), who we consider to be some of the greatest champions of our state’s young athletes. Every high school needs a qualified AT and we are lucky to be working in tandem with them to protect young hearts.
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CIF Votes to Implement Protocol for Sudden Cardiac Arrest

A student-athlete receives a free heart screening by volunteers from the Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation.
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Exámenes de corazón, gratis

La fundación Eric Paredes save a life.es un programa hecho por un oficial de la patrulla de caminos de San Diego Héctor Paredes y su esposa ambos perdieron a su hijo hace unos años debido a un infarto cardiaco y ahora tienen un programa para la juventud basado en esa experiencia.
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Sudden Cardiac Arrest Program Mandatory for California Schools

California Interscholastic Federation passed a legislation to incorporate sudden cardiac arrest prevention protocol in high school sports programs throughout California.
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Sudden Cardiac Arrest, A Public Health Crisis

An incredible report from the American Heart Association and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation confirming that SCA is a public health crisis and how importance prevention is.
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EP Save A Life Volunteer Is A Survivor

Brandon Calvert was treated for atrial fibrillation caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and now gives back to EP Save A Life.
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One Boy’s Legacy: Free Heart Screenings

Teen Devin Lawson was identified with a heart condition and now he gives back by teaching kids CPR and AED use.
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Boost For Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention

EP Save A Life Joins Up With CIF.
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Partnering with CIF To Advance SCA Prevention in California High Schools

CIF Commissioners Vote 10-0 In Support Of Proposed Bylaw Additions To Enact Prevention Protocol
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San Diego Union-Tribune: Letters to the Editor

Preventable Tragedy Just Requires Heart Screening.
View Letter

Cox Cares Recognizes EP Save A Life

Eric’s Foundation was honored to win a $2,500 grant from the Cox Cares Member Recommended Grant program, funded by employee payroll donations that are matched by Cox Communications. This grant will help us to continue to provide free heart screenings that identify 1 in 100 youth at risk for SCA.

Frundraise Enables Athletes To Help Us Save A Life

See how you can dedicate your next race to EP Save A Life.
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California Senate Recognizes EP Save A Life Foundation

Senator Mark Wyland with Senators Marty Block, Joel Anderson and Ben Hueso support our SCA prevention efforts on June 30 in Sacramento.

The Today Show Tells Our Story

The EP Save A LIfe Foundation goes national to urge parents to screen their teen.
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Should EKGs Become Standard for Teenagers Before Playing Sports

The EP Save A Life Foundation weighs in on this important, life-saving dialogue.
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Turning Tragedy into Purpose, Heart Screening for Youth Becoming a Reality for Parents

Families who have experienced the loss and fear of sudden cardiac arrest come together to save lives.
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Free Youth Cardiac Screenings Could Save Lives

Granite HIlls High School screening honors memory of former student lost to Sudden Cardiac Arrest in 2011.
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Certificates of recognition presented to the Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation from Senator Joel Anderson and Assemblyman Brian Jones at Granite Hills High School on June 1, 2014.

UT San Diego: Free teen cardiac screenings held in Scripps Ranch

Heart screenings looked for undetected abnormalities that put youth at risk for Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
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City Council Proclaims April 27—May 3, 2014 EP Save A Life Foundation Week

Councilman Mark Kersey championed a proclamation dedicating this week to Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention. May 3 would have been Eric’s 20th birthday, and his foundation is thrilled to remember him by continuing to save young lives.
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Eric’s Foundation Medical Director Named 2014 Hero For Young Hearts

Eric’s Foundation volunteer medical director earns high praise from national organization committed to sudden cardiac prevention in youth.
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Free screening at Scripps Mercy Hospital Prevent Cardiac Arrest

EP Save A Life Foundation screens 10,000th teen during Heart Month 2014.
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Screening students for heart abnormalities becomes a calling to save young lives.

Story about our foundation.
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Grieving Mom Says School Physicals Need Heart Exam

Community mourns loss of Oceanside student athlete
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Parents Turn Loss Into Heart Health Awareness

The San Diego Daily Transcript reports on the importance of heart screenings.
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Losing Heart

Fox 5 Anchormom Kathleen Bade shares her thoughts on the importance of screening your teen for sudden cardiac arrest.
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Turning Tragedy into Triumph AAMVA’s 2014 PACE Award Winning Feature

Hector Paredes shares the story of how the loss of his son inspired the formation of a foundation that worked to save the lives of local teens.
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