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Three people associated with New Jersey’s Cherokee High School in Evesham Township has been credited with saving the life of a man who suffered cardiac arrest last year just before Christmas while watching a girls' basketball game from the school’s gymnasium bleachers.
LRHSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carol Birnbohm called the incident a “Christmas miracle” while bestowing a “Pride Award” to Cherokee Athletic Director Scott Agnew, Cherokee Athletic Trainer Karen Hengst, and Jill Evans, a school parent, alumna, and active community member.
On December 19, the spectator, a father of an assistant coach at Paul VI High School, suffered a cardiac event. According to Birnbohm:
“If it were not for the heroic deeds of who we are honoring tonight, this man would not be alive today.”
Birnbohm detailed the actions taken during the emergency: Agnew evacuated the gym and carried the spectator to safety, while Evans administered CPR, and Hengst assembled the school’s AED and administered the shock that restored the man’s normal heart rhythm. A countless number of people also assisted in the efforts.
In an email to Cherokee Principal Donna Charlesworth, the spectator’s spouse expressed profound gratitude:
“The quick, efficient, and skilled action taken by your trainer, a nurse, and other staff, gave him his life back. We will be forever grateful and appreciative for saving his life.”
The spectator spent 18 days at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where doctors replaced his mitral valve and inserted a defibrillator into his pacemaker, enabling him to have a better quality of life.
Agnew recalled a similar incident in the mid-90s that ended tragically due to the lack of AEDs. He stated, “Janet’s Law is the reason why we had this,” referring to the legislation requiring AEDs at school-sponsored athletic events.
“That day, I remember it like it was yesterday, as it was a very sad affair. An uncle of a wrestler didn’t make it because of the lack of technology that we have today.”
Agnew praised the efforts of Evans and Hengst, calling their work “unbelievable.”
Birnbohm also shared an email from the athletic director of Paul VI, who is also a former Cherokee Calculus teacher. The email read:
“A medical emergency is never easy, extremely frightening, and scary. Our assistant coach’s dad suffered a cardiac event, and had it not been for your trainer, Karen Hengst, and one of your parents, Jill Evans, he would not be alive today. They immediately started compressions and shocked him with the AED, which was readily available. Your security quickly escorted the fans out of the gym, and the teams to their respective locker rooms. Lastly, your decision to postpone the game was heartfelt and smart.”
Agnew emphasized the importance of keeping medical facilities up to date, noting, “It is well worth it for an event like this.”
Birnbohm concluded by noting:
“This was not the first time the AED was used to save a life at Cherokee High School. This was the second time in our entire school district, and Ms. Karen Hengst was present both times and administered the shock with the AED.”
