February is American Heart Month, a time to recognize that every 15 minutes, a baby is born in the United States with a heart defect. Millions currently live with these conditions. In Columbus County, North Carolina, one family is turning a personal challenge into a community-wide effort to improve cardiac safety in schools.
A Family’s Fight Inspires Change
Jon David Furlow was born with a congenital heart defect, affecting approximately one in every 100 babies. His parents, Mallory and Justin Furlow, discovered the condition during a maternal-fetal medicine appointment at 12 weeks. The past year has involved extensive hospital stays – roughly 10 months at Duke University Hospital – and a rigorous treatment schedule, including 24 doses of medication daily and ongoing therapy.
Despite the ongoing challenges – Jon David continues to receive specialized care and faces a lifelong risk of complications, including cardiac arrest – the Furlows are working to prevent other families from experiencing similar crises. As teachers for Columbus County Schools, they introduced Project Adam to their colleagues and students.
Project Adam: Creating Heart-Safe Schools
Project Adam is a national program designed to prepare schools for cardiac emergencies. According to Columbus County School student services director Dr. Heather Pigott, a “heart-safe school” has a well-trained team prepared to respond quickly to a student in cardiac arrest. This includes strategically placed AEDs (automated external defibrillators) and adherence to a checklist of requirements verified by the Duke cardiac team.
The Furlows believe that having heart-safe schools could be life-saving, not only for children with known heart defects but also for those who may be unaware of an underlying condition. “Nobody wakes up and says, ‘I’m going to go into cardiac arrest today,’” said Mallory Furlow. “You’re dependent on the people around you to act quickly.”
As of now, East Columbus High School and Columbus County Career and College Academy have achieved Heart Safe Certification through Project Adam. Officials anticipate additional schools will be certified by the end of the current semester. Schools in neighboring Pender and New Hanover counties have also been certified.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a congenital heart defect?
A congenital heart defect is a condition affecting one in every 100 babies, as stated by Jon David Furlow’s parents.
What does it mean for a school to be “heart-safe” under Project Adam?
It means a school-based team is well-trained to respond to a student in cardiac arrest, AEDs are readily available, and the school meets a specific checklist of requirements, according to Dr. Heather Pigott.
How can I learn more about Project Adam?
You can find more information about Project Adam by clicking here.
How might increased awareness and proactive measures like Project Adam impact the outcomes for individuals facing congenital heart defects in communities across the country?
