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D. Hamlin’s recovery is also about proactiveness, prevention
By the time you read this, it is likely that the Super Bowl will have been played and either the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles will be your National Football League champions. With that said, there is one name which will define the 20222023 season – Damar Hamlin.
When Hamlin collapsed on the field the evening after New Year’s Day on Monday Night Football, it stunned the viewing audience and led to unified well wishes and prayers. Hamlin’s recovery was nothing short of a miracle, and yet, awareness regarding sudden cardi- ac arrest began to wane in the rush to “return to football.”
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I recently spoke with Lekesha Benson, who founded the NOLA Network in 2017 after her son Javaris, died from sudden cardiac arrest, or SCA.
“After his death, I began researching (SCA) and found that African Americans are seven times less likely to be diagnosed, even when presenting with symptoms which is why it is a health equity issue,” Benson said. “Response is also less amongst minority communities, which decreases the likelihood of survival.”
The common rhetoric used after Hamlin’s injury was that it was a rare occurrence, which Benson refuted.
“Players have died outside of play, or stopped playing due to a condition being found, or have needed life-saving procedures or medication to prevent a cardiac arrest,” she said.
Ultimately, the goal of healthcare advocates and activists such as Benson is to be proactive about the need for CPR training and on-thespot assistance at youth sporting events.
“Damar was with profession - al trainers, but this happens to kids everyday, with their friends or at home,” she said. “We need to empower them to respond. Response saves lives, but I am a firm believer that the best course of action is prevention when possible.”
Ken Makin is the host of Makin’ A Difference and a freelance writer for ESPN and The Christian Science Monitor, among other outlets. Look him up on Facebook at Makin’ A Difference, and you can also send him an email with your thoughts at makinadifferenceshow@gmail.com.
