William C. "Bill" Dusch, City of Concord | City of Concord website
William C. "Bill" Dusch, City of Concord | City of Concord website
The Cabarrus County community recently gathered to celebrate the return of the Hearts and Heroes event, marking a significant occasion after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. Nearly 300 individuals came together at the Laureate Center in Kannapolis City Hall to honor those involved in lifesaving interventions during out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
The event was organized by Cabarrus County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in collaboration with Atrium Health Cabarrus. It highlighted 21 success stories from 2022, showcasing the vital role of bystanders, medical staff, and first responders.
Among the stories shared was that of Daniel Truhitte, a Concord resident known for his role as Rolf in "The Sound of Music." In June 2022, while attending a funeral at Forest Hill United Methodist Church in Concord, Truhitte suffered a cardiac arrest. Fortunately, nurse Pamela Petrea was present and quickly responded to the emergency. Her timely actions contributed significantly to Truhitte's recovery at Atrium Health Cabarrus.
Truhitte and Petrea reunited at the event and performed "How Great Thou Art," receiving a standing ovation from attendees. The evening continued with recognition for other survivors and their lifesavers.
"The most beautiful thing about Hearts and Heroes is that it simplifies one of the most basic human needs: love," EMS Deputy Chief Justin Brines stated. He emphasized the importance of community members stepping up in critical moments.
Several local agencies were honored during the event, including various fire departments and police departments from Cabarrus County. EMS Chief Jimmy Lentz expressed pride in his team's dedication and their impact on the community.
In addition to celebrating past successes, attendees were encouraged to spread awareness about CPR training opportunities available through EMS' participation in Duke University's RACE-CARS research trial. This initiative aims to improve survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest through educational resources.
Residents interested in CPR training can contact kaclarke@cabarruscounty.us or call 704-920-2600 for more information.
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