Legislation would require AEDs at youth sporting events and large public gatherings
DENNIS TOWNSHIP — “We want to save lives. We don’t want parents to go through what we endure every day,” Justina Nees said of her family’s efforts to make AEDs a requirement at youth sporting events.
On Sept. 24, 2010, her stepson Michael Fisher collapsed while playing recreational hockey and died as a result of a congenital heart defect known as subaortic stenosis.
The 15-year-old was an honor roll student in the Allied Medical Program at Cape May County Technical High School, studying to be a nurse practitioner.
“Michael was a great student when his life was cut short. It could have been saved by an AED,” Nees said.
According to the American Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of death among young athletes. Medical research has shown that survival rates increase dramatically when defibrillation occurs within the first few minutes.
Nees said Janet’s Law requires AEDs on school property but there is no law requiring the devices at recreational sports.
“My son died on a rec field. At present time, no law requires rec fields, public parks to have an AED. Sports are not all played on school properties,” she said.
The 57-year-old and her husband, Daniel Nees, 53, along with son Mason, a 21-year-old senior at Rowan University, operated the Michael Fisher Foundation, through which they donated an AED to Dennis Township, Lower Township, Middle Township and the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. Currently they support efforts benefiting Deborah Heart and Lung Center.
The family has spent years raising awareness about congenital heart defects and advocating for improved cardiac emergency preparedness. Now they are advocating for the devices to be readily available when needed.
As fall sports season gets under way, Assemblyman Erik Simonsen has renewed his call for passage of Michael Fisher’s Law. Assembly bill A1451 would require AEDs to be available at youth athletic events and practices, while expanding access to AEDs at large public venues throughout the state.
Simonsen, a former athletic director at Lower Cape May Regional High School, is a sponsor of the bill.
“Every parent who drops their child off at a practice or game expects that reasonable safety measures are in place,” he said. “Michael’s story reminds us that cardiac emergencies can happen without warning, even to young athletes. We cannot prevent every tragedy, but we can ensure that coaches, volunteers and first responders have the tools they need to save lives.”
Simonsen credited Fisher’s family for transforming their loss into a mission to help others.
“The family has turned unimaginable grief into meaningful action,” he said. “Their advocacy has educated countless families and inspired legislation that has the potential to save lives throughout New Jersey. Passing this bill would be a fitting tribute to Michael’s memory and a significant step toward protecting young athletes across our state.”
Nees said the family has been trying to get Michael Fisher’s Law passed for years. At one point, she said, it made it all the way to the governor’s desk but former Gov. Chris Christie vetoed it.
“He said it cost too much money,” Nees said. “If you save one life, it’s worth it.”
The bill is before the Assembly Health Services Committee and the family is hoping to get it advanced in the new legislative session.
“It would mean a lot to us if we could get this passed,” Nees said.“We don’t want this to happen to another family.”
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff