To Those Who Helped Save My Life... by Katie Layon - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

MARCH
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 01 02 03 04
View Events
Submit Events

To Those Who Helped Save My Life...

By Katie Layon, Community Writer
October 2, 2014 at 05:19pm. Views: 74

How do I thank people who saved my life? I am alive today thanks to the Loma Linda University Life Support Education department and the Loma Linda Fire Department. Let me explain. It was 103 degrees on October 1, 2012 and I was 33 years old. I had just clocked from work and was in the parking lot waiting for the shuttle to take me to my car. It was there, on this hot unseasonably hot afternoon, that I collapsed. My heart stopped, literally, as I experienced full cardiac arrest. A co-worker called 911 as I lay on the asphalt. Not long after I collapsed, and before any emergency personnel arrived, a dental resident came walking down the same parking lot and found me on the asphalt. Coincidentally, at about the same time, someone called out to a doctor working in a nearby building and she, too, quickly arrived on the scene. It was my lucky day because the dental resident also volunteers as a CPR instructor with Life Support Education at Loma Linda University so together, he and the medical doctor, quickly determined that I needed CPR and as soon as possible! They performed 3 rounds of CPR until the Loma Linda Fire and Paramedics arrived to take over. I later found out that the paramedics performed CPR off and on for 15-20 minutes and defibrillated me multiple times. They said my heart would begin beating and would then stop. It would begin to beat and then it would stop. The details of what happened in the following hours, weeks, and months don’t seem to matter, 2 years later. I’m alive and living with basically zero deficiencies and I truly believe the reasons are, in large part, because of the CPR skills and training made possible through the Life Support Education Department at Loma Linda University AND because of the care provided by the Loma Linda Fire Department. How do I thank people who saved my life? There are no words or actions that will ever be enough but I continue to try because I know of no other way. Not a day goes by that I don’t realize what a gift I was given on that hot afternoon. Every 6 months since the day I received CPR, I try to acknowledge those who were so instrumental in saving my life. The 2 year anniversary was Oct. 1 and it just doesn’t seem enough to again say ‘thank you’ to these people. This year I’d like to publically say ‘thanks’ so that all these departments will receive a small piece of recognition for their dedication to saving my life and the lives of people like me.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By Stella Price, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 747

Illustrative image of a happy family outdoors with one dog and one cat, both shown wearing pet insurance tags. Moreno Valley Animal Services and MetLife Pet Insurance form a unique partnership in an effort to remove adoption barriers.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 557

Moreno Valley residents are being invited to take an active role in shaping the city’s future, by serving on one of its Boards or Commissions, Mayor Ulises announced.

Photo Courtesy of: Loma Linda University Church

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 437

The student ensemble, directed by Michael Pichette, will be presenting a vespers program featuring reflective wind and percussion music that brings together students, families, and the local community.

Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace Titans

By Charmaine Mislang, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 695

Young athletes with the Grand Terrace Titans Jr. All American Football & Cheer sit together and smile for a group photo during practice, wearing team uniforms and bows, representing teamwork, confidence, and community spirit.

Cheerleading events feature cheer competition performances, where our athletes showcased their routines, teamwork, and dedication.

The football events focus on time spent together both on and off the field, competing, training, building brotherhood, and strengthening team bonds through shared experiences.

Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace Woman's Club

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 484

Members of the Grand Terrace Woman’s Club welcome community members during one of their Bingo Game Nights, which raise funds to support local outreach efforts while bringing residents together for an evening of fun and fellowship.

Photo Courtesy of: Youtube: IE Pulse

By Charmaine Mislang, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:17pm. Views: 1025

Colton firefighters respond to a hazardous hydrogen‑fuel tank explosion, quickly securing the scene and preventing further danger to the surrounding neighborhood.

Photo Courtesy of: CUSM

By Cynthia Baker, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 565

Taken on July 22, 2025: The MD class of 2029 MD took the Hippocratic Oath and received their white coats, symbolizing entrance into the medical profession.
"This class brings the largest number of Inland Empire-based students to a CUSM MD class," said Paul Lyons, MD, President and Dean of California University of Science and Medicine. "It is core to our mission to support the communities of the Inland Empire in terms of education and health accessibility. Admitting qualified IE-based students is a major part of bringing our mission to life."

Photo Courtesy of: San Bernardino County Department of Public Health

By Stella Pierce, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 490

Airbud, a tan Shepherd-mix dog, happily jumps up to play with a handler during outdoor enrichment time at the shelter, showing his energetic and playful personality.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Riverside, Fire Department

By William Cortez, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 405

City of Riverside Fire Department officials and city leaders stand in front of a fire engine, cutting a red ribbon to unveil new PumpPod equipment, during an outdoor ceremony on a sunny day.

Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By William Cortez, Contributing Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 360

An AI-rendered image showing a person wearing a hood and gloves removing a property tax payment envelope from a blue mail drop box during low light conditions.

Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By Charmaine Mislang, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 550

AI-generated image of a family of four sitting at a kitchen table, looking together at a laptop while holding CalFresh informational materials and an application form. The adults and children appear engaged and focused, suggesting they are reviewing or applying for food assistance benefits.

Photo Courtesy of: Designed by Freepik

By Angela Giacobbe, Community Writer

March 3, 2026 at 12:18pm. Views: 355

An energetic group of friends stand outdoors, smiling and embracing in a moment of connection and support. Staying proactive about health—including routine colon cancer screening—helps ensure more moments like these for years to come.

--> -->