Damar Hamlin’s injury shines a spotlight on Sudden Cardiac Arrest — more people want to learn about CPR and AEDs

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Joshua Bessex / AP Photo

A sign shows support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin outside Highmark Stadium on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin was taken to the hospital after collapsing on the field during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night in Cincinnati.

Airdate: Thursday, January 5, 2023

The world watched on live TV as 24-year-old Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills collapsed on the football field, suffering from cardiac arrest Monday night during an NFL game in Cincinnati.

Hamlin, who is a western Pennsylvania native and Pitt graduate, had just tackled a Cincinnati player, took a few steps afterwards and fell to the ground. Doctors, EMTs and trainers rushed to Hamlin and performed CPR on him to get his heart beating again.

Hamlin is still in critical condition but is said to be improving.

What caused Hamlin’s heart to stop isn’t known for sure at this point. No doubt the circumstances in which Hamlin’s heart problems surfaced has helped to generate so much interest. However, Sudden Cardiac Arrest isn’t unusual.

Asheleigh Forsberg and Julie Walker of Peyton Walker Foundation

In fact, Julie Walker’s daughter died from Sudden Cardiac Arrest 10 years ago.

Julie Walker, founder of the Peyton Walker Foundation, whose mission is to increase awareness and survival rates for Sudden Cardiac Arrest appeared on The Spark Thursday.