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A Colorado freshman's life was saved after he collapsed mid-game due to a rare heart defect — and it was the quick action of Athletic Trainers and the presence of an AED that made all the difference.
Manasse “Nasa” Mahungu, a freshman basketball player at Doherty High School, moved to Colorado Springs from Namibia last October as a political refugee.
He found comfort on the court, quickly making a name for himself on the sophomore team.
“Whenever I feel frustrated, angry, or anything, I just go play basketball and it calms me down,” Mahungu said.
But on January 16, during a game at Legend High School, Mahungu suddenly collapsed during a timeout. Legend’s Head Athletic Trainer Sara Kramer responded immediately.
“One of my student-athletes came in to get me, and you can just tell by the way they come in whether it’s something you can take your time for or not,” Kramer said. “It was very obvious that there was something pretty scary happening out there.”
Also present was Maddie England, a district Athletic Trainer who was only there due to a scheduling error.
“I was here when I wasn’t supposed to be… It was God,” England said.
Mahungu lost his pulse. CPR was initiated, and an AED was used to restart his heart before he was rushed to the hospital. He was later diagnosed with an anomalous left coronary artery, a rare and potentially fatal congenital heart defect.
“He’s very fortunate,” said Dr. Matthew Stone, who performed Mahungu’s open-heart surgery. “The individuals that responded to his arrest are truly the ones to be credited for saving his life.”
Now fully recovered, Mahungu is grateful for his second chance.
“I feel like a new person,” he said. “No pain in my chest, nothing. I can breathe smoothly now.”
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