The Lifesaving Power of Friendship: How Two Teens Saved J.J.'s Life

Teens who performed lifesaving CPR for wrestler in cardiac arrest speak out

A Tale of Courage, Quick Thinking, and CPR Training in the Face of Cardiac Arrest

How Two Teens Saved J.J.’s Life

May 10, 2024 started like any other day for Laura Machnik, who said goodbye to her 18-year-old son, J.J., before heading to work. He was going to a friend’s house for a workout, and after she arrived at work, Laura confirmed that he had made it there safely. But just minutes later, her phone rang with news that every parent fears.

At 14, J.J. was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic heart disorder that can cause sudden cardiac arrest. Despite his active lifestyle and lack of symptoms, J.J.’s heart stopped shortly after beginning his workout with friends Trevor Hodgins, 14, and Giovanni Scafidi, 18.

“(She) called me and said, ‘You have to get to my house as fast as you can, J.J. passed out on the treadmill,'” Laura said. “All I said was, ‘Does he have a pulse?’ as I was running out the door from work… knowing what was going on, I’m just like, ‘OK, this is for real. This is it.'”

As Laura rushed over, Hodgins and Scafidi sprang into action, providing CPR and calling 911. When paramedics arrived, the friends informed them of J.J.’s condition, enabling immediate and targeted treatment. Their swift response was crucial. According to Dr. Matthew Martinez, a sports cardiologist at Morristown Medical Center, “They told me it was less than a minute before they started CPR. Those are the phrases we really want to hear when we’re looking for how kids are going to do after an event like this.”

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects about 1 in 500 people and causes the heart muscle to become abnormally thick, making it inefficient at pumping blood. J.J. had the non-obstructive type, which can cause the heart’s left ventricle to stiffen but doesn’t block blood flow.

J.J.’s father, Jeff, had been diagnosed with HCM a few years earlier, leading to J.J.’s own diagnosis at age 14. Managing HCM involves regular checkups and awareness of symptoms like chest pain and difficulty breathing. For J.J., it also meant educating those around him on how to respond in case of sudden cardiac arrest.

“We talked about CPR with his mom and dad,” Dr. Martinez said. “We made sure that coaches knew, that the high school knew, and he went and bought his own automated external defibrillator.” This preparation proved crucial on the day of J.J.’s collapse.

On the way to the hospital, J.J. coded twice and had to be resuscitated by paramedics. Stabilized and transferred to Morristown Medical Center, he was placed in an induced coma and connected to an ECMO machine to let his organs rest. The critical question was whether his brain function would remain intact.

On Mother’s Day, three days after the collapse, J.J.’s family faced the possibility of a heart transplant. But in true J.J. fashion, he defied expectations. “His heart started working again,” Laura said. “Could it be any other way than the J.J. way, to hear the worst possible information and then say, ‘Oh wait, just kidding, here I am?'”

By May 17, J.J.’s 19th birthday, he began physical and occupational therapy. He was discharged on May 23, with an internal cardiac defibrillator implanted to prevent future incidents. Despite the setback, J.J. threw himself into end-of-year activities, culminating in his high school graduation on June 20.

Friends save 18-year-old wrestler’s life after cardiac arrest

J.J. and his friends, Giovanni and Trevor, now share an unbreakable bond. Their quick thinking and CPR training saved J.J.’s life. Reflecting on the incident, J.J. expressed gratitude: “After what happened, which was devastating, it’s been the best it can be.”

This story highlights the crucial role of CPR training and the lifesaving impact it can have. For teenagers, knowing how to perform CPR can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency. Trevor and Giovanni’s actions are a powerful reminder of how preparedness and quick thinking can save lives.

This inspiring story of J.J. and his friends demonstrates the strength of human connections and the importance of being prepared. Through their actions, Trevor and Giovanni not only saved their friend’s life but also showed the world the power of friendship and the critical importance of CPR training.

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