One family’s ordinary Saturday night took a terrifying turn when a mother, Jayne Biggs from Norfolk, heard her seven-year-old daughter, Violet, coughing. Concerned, she rushed to Violet’s room and found her daughter had stopped breathing. Panicked but composed, Jayne and her husband immediately performed CPR as they waited for paramedics to arrive.
Violet had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, a shocking event that left her parents in disbelief. Thanks to their quick actions and the medical team’s intervention, Violet survived the ordeal and was rushed to the hospital for further care.
Following the incident, Violet was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome, a rare heart condition that can lead to cardiac arrest due to irregular heart rhythms. To manage the condition, Violet received an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) for continuous monitoring and immediate intervention if necessary.
Reflecting on that fateful night in February 2013, Jayne expressed gratitude for being there at the right moment to save her daughter’s life. Despite the traumatic experience, Jayne and her husband, both with first aid training, were able to act swiftly and effectively.
In response to the incident, Jayne founded Heart 2 Heart Norfolk, a charity aimed at increasing access to defibrillators in public spaces. By raising awareness and funds, Jayne has contributed to the installation of over 400 defibrillators across the country, emphasizing the importance of these life-saving devices in emergencies.
Through her charity work, Jayne continues to advocate for widespread defibrillator availability and offers CPR and defibrillation training to the community. Supporters can contribute to Heart 2 Heart Norfolk’s cause through the easyfundraising website and app, enabling donations from their online shopping activities to support the charity’s initiatives without extra cost.
Jayne’s dedication to raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and promoting access to defibrillators underscores the critical impact of proactive measures in saving lives. Her efforts serve as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and swift action in medical emergencies.