It was a day filled with gratitude and emotion as 13-year-old David Dieurestil reunited with the medical professionals, firefighters, and community leaders who helped save his life after a sudden cardiac arrest. The special gathering took place on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center in Fort Lauderdale, where David’s story of survival began just a month earlier.
On July 16, while playing basketball at the YMCA, David collapsed. What first appeared to be a seizure quickly escalated into a life-threatening cardiac arrest. Fortunately, two bystanders, Dr. Ayisha Livingstone, a Broward Health surgeon, and Nadege Blanc, a nurse practitioner at Memorial Healthcare System,sprang into action. They performed two rounds of CPR and used an on-site automated external defibrillator (AED) to restart David’s heart.
Within minutes, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue paramedics arrived, providing advanced medical care and rushing him to Broward Health Medical Center. David was later transferred to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, where he continued to receive specialized treatment and care.
At the reunion, David was joined by his lifesaving team: Dr. Livingstone and Blanc, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Chief Stephen Gollan, and first responders Battalion Chief Justin Cabrera, Lieutenant David Reynolds, Driver/Engineer Stephen Smith, Firefighter/EMT Cheyenne Lagman, and Firefighter/Paramedic James Paszkiewicz. Leaders from local hospitals and community organizations,including Shane Strum, President and CEO of Broward Health; Caitlin Stella, CEO of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital; Sheryl Woods, YMCA President and CEO; and Dr. Thomas Forbes, chief of pediatric cardiology at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital were also present to celebrate the extraordinary outcome.
The gathering highlighted not only David’s miraculous recovery but also the importance of CPR and AED training in saving lives. Sudden cardiac arrest can strike without warning, even in children, and immediate intervention is often the only chance of survival.
The event served as both a heartfelt reunion and a powerful reminder of the impact of community partnerships, preparation, and training. As attendees reflected on the day’s meaning, one message rang clear: We are better together.
