Special reunion for referee who suffered heart attack on soccer field
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Brock Cole, a 48-year-old soccer referee whose heart stopped beating during a game a few weeks ago, led this year’s Mobile Heart Walk for the American Heart Association.
Cole beat a drum at the walk. The drum signifies his heartbeat.
Cole was refereeing a game at Trione Park in Daphne October 11th when he fell on the field. Video captured the moment. Cole was suffering a heart attack.
Dr. Christopher Malozzi, a cardiologist with USA Health, was on an adjacent field at the time. Malozzi and others performed CPR and got an AED to Cole within 24 seconds of his fall.
Cole and Malozzi met for the first time since the heart attack at this weekend’s Mobile Heart Walk.
“I was one of the lucky ones. All of those things fell into place for me to be alive right now,” Cole said.
Cole’s wife, Jolene Cole, said, “If he would have been at my house, it would have been a different story. He was where he needed to be. God guided this in every way possible.”
Dr. Malozzi said, “This is an opportunity for everyone to realize how important learning CPR is.”
Malozzi said 90 percent of people who have cardiac arrest outside of a hospital don’t survive.
“There were so many people around him that were just ready to help,” Malozzi said. “And I’m so thankful that he has an opportunity to share his story and raise awareness for CPR and AED use.”
Recovery and awareness
They discovered Cole had three blockages and needed a double bypass.
“I feel great,” Cole said. “My cardiac rehab is going well. The pain in my chest is slowly healing up and it’s going to keep getting better.”
Cole said he will continue to share his story.
“I’m going to take the opportunity and run with it,” Cole said. “I’m going to spread awareness and do whatever I can to help raise awareness and save someone else’s life. I’m glad I get to return the favor. That’s the biggest thing. I want to pay it forward.”
Click here to find out resources available to help learn CPR and how to use an AED.
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