On April 12, 2004, my 14-year-old daughter Olivia’s life and dreams for her future came to a tragic end. A freshman at Liberty High School, Olivia had Long QT Syndrome, a heart disorder that silently kills approximately 7,000 children each year. Today, I honor the memory of my daughter by doing everything in my power to make sure no other young people meet her fate. How? Educate school districts and communities about Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) Programs and the importance of Community Heart Screenings.
I have made a commitment to myself and the community to raise awareness and to the prevention of deaths from sudden cardiac arrest. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to serve with Corinne Ruiz, who has been my inspiration in my journey to pay forward everything I have been given.
Dr. Sarabjeet Singh is an Interventional Cardiologist at Centric Health’s, Central Cardiology Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. For nearly two decades he has earned his stellar reputation as a top cardiologist of Kern County through his commitment and passion for providing excellent and compassionate care encompassing a broad variety of Cardiology and Peripheral Vascular needs.
Olivia was my stepdaughter, but I loved her as if she were my daughter. I joined my wife, Corinne, and together we began a grassroots campaign to raise awareness about Sudden Cardiac Arrest in children and young adults. Our vision is to Keep Young Hearts Beating through Community Youth Heart Screenings, education and increased accessibility to life saving Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s).