Silent No More: The Urgent Need to Connect SCA Survivors

When a heart suddenly stops beating, and life is brought back from the brink, the journey is far from over. As the trustees of Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK, we’ve witnessed the profound impact that peer support can have on survivors and their loved ones. Today, we want to share why our mission to reach every sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) survivor in the UK is crucial and how you can help us make it happen.

The Silent Struggle After Survival

Imagine waking up in a hospital bed, confused and scared, with no memory of how you got there. That’s the reality for many SCA survivors. While medical professionals save lives, they often lack the resources to address the complex emotional and psychological aftermath of such a traumatic event.

Our members consistently tell us that joining our support groups has been life-changing for their recovery.

Why?

Because they’re no longer left in the dark, struggling alone with questions, fears, and challenges that only fellow survivors can truly understand.

More Than Just a Facebook Group

Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK started as a simple Facebook group for sharing experiences. Now, with over 3,000 members, we’ve evolved into so much more:

1. A community of understanding: Where survivors and co-survivors can connect with others who’ve walked in their shoes.
2. A source of vital information: Providing resources on recovery, lifestyle adjustments, and navigating the healthcare system.
3. A platform for advocacy: Raising awareness about SCA and pushing for better support systems.
4. A beacon of hope: Showing life after SCA can be fulfilling and meaningful.

The Power of a Simple Leaflet

Our “Effective Peer Support” leaflets are more than just pieces of paper – they’re lifelines. These leaflets:

• Introduce survivors and their families to our organisation at a critical time
• Provide essential information when it’s needed most
• Guide people to our online communities and resources
• Offer reassurance that support is available

The Challenge: Reaching Every SCA Survivor

Here’s where we face a significant hurdle. While we’ve built a strong online presence, we know we’re only scratching the surface. Many SCA survivors, especially older individuals or those less comfortable with technology, might never find us through social media alone.

Our goal is ambitious but vital: we want our leaflets in every hospital and cardiac centre where SCA patients might receive care. This means:

• Printing thousands of leaflets
• Distributing them to over 250 locations across the UK
• Regularly replenishing supplies to ensure constant availability

The Reality: It Takes Resources

This crucial outreach effort comes with challenges:

• Printing costs: Producing high-quality, informative leaflets isn’t cheap
• Distribution logistics: Getting materials to hundreds of locations requires careful planning
• Ongoing maintenance: Ensuring a steady supply demands constant attention
• Volunteer time and effort: Our dedicated team puts in countless hours to make this happen

Why It Matters

Every day that passes without our leaflets in these hospitals is a day when a survivor or family member might feel lost and alone. It’s a missed opportunity to provide comfort, guidance, and hope at a critical moment in someone’s recovery journey.

How You Can Help

We need your support to make this vision a reality. Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Spread the word: Share this post to raise awareness about the importance of peer support for SCA survivors.
2. Contact your local hospital: Ask if our “Effective Peer Support” leaflets are available for cardiac patients.
3. Volunteer: We’d love your help if you have skills in logistics, printing, or healthcare connections.
4. Donate: Every contribution, no matter how small, helps us print and distribute more leaflets.
5. Join our community: If you’re an SCA survivor or co-survivor, join and contribute to our cause.

Together, we can ensure that no one faces the aftermath of sudden cardiac arrest alone. Let’s get our life-changing support into every hospital and cardiac centre in the UK.

Will you join us in this mission?

If so, contact us and get some leaflets in your hospital.

Please share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s start a conversation about how to make a difference for SCA survivors and co-survivors nationwide.

Paul Swindell

After our first meet-up in February 2015, I realised I was not alone. It was the first time since my cardiac arrest the previous year that I had spoken face-to-face with someone who had experienced what I had. This was also true for my wife, who also happened to be my lifesaver. From that meet-up, the idea of SCA UK was born. Since then, we have achieved a considerable amount, primarily providing information, resources and support to others in a similar situation but also raising the profile of survivorship and the need for better post-discharge care. We are starting to get traction in this, and with the formation of the charity, I genuinely believe we have a bright future ahead and will make a significant difference in the lives of many who join our ranks.