MEXICO — October is national Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month and local community advocates Laurieann Milligan and Alberta Broomhall of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association’s (SCAA) Western Maine Affiliate joined nearly 300 medical professionals, volunteers, advocates, patients and survivors at the 2009 SCAA Annual Meeting and Medical Education Conference Oct. 9 to 11, in Chicago, Ill.

Throughout the conference, Milligan learned of medical advancements in the treatment of sudden cardiac arrest, federal and state legislation addressing the public health crisis of SCA and emerging technologies to expand response, treatment and public knowledge about the risks and impact of SCA.

“This meeting was a valuable resource to increase my knowledge and help develop strategies to work with others to raise awareness about SCA,” said Milligan. “With nearly 300,000 Americans dying each year from sudden cardiac arrest, there is much to be done to teach more people CPR, place more AEDs in public places, improve emergency procedures and encourage those at risk to seek preventive medical care.”

In addition to business meetings and workshops, the conference social events included an SCA Survivor Celebration, where nearly 30 SCA survivors representing 20 states were feted. The SCAA Awards Dinner capped off the weekend, where organizations and individuals were honored for their efforts to raise awareness of SCA, prevent sudden cardiac death and improve cardiovascular health.

The SCAA is the nation’s largest public advocacy organization exclusively dedicated to sudden cardiac arrest awareness and prevention. Its annual meeting in Chicago brought together volunteers from nearly 50 chapters and affiliates from across the country, including SCA survivors, physicians, nurses, emergency professionals and others touched by SCA. For more information, visit www.suddencardiacarrest.org.