Tim Russert's
Death Provides Important Opportunity to Increase Public Awareness
of How to Prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Graphic
courtesy of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association
SCAA
Fact Sheet: Sudden cardiac arrest vs. Heart Attack
WASHINGTON
-- The untimely death of NBC News executive Tim Russert
has placed the public health crisis of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)
at the forefront of media coverage, dinner table conversations and
physicians' offices around the country.
To further
public knowledge, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA) is
making available for media interviews Matthew Felling - a media
commentator and frequent Washington, DC radio host - seen often
on CNN and other major outlets. By all appearances, 34-year-old
Felling is the picture of health and fitness. Yet he has a personal
history of heart disease, procedures and arrhythmia which makes
him all the more aware of the risks of sudden cardiac arrest and
the importance of preventative health care and healthy lifestyle
habits.
A seasoned
media professional, Matthew is available to speak on-camera, in
addition to other broadcast and print reporters about his personal
experience. This is an important chance for the media to inform
viewers and readers about the indicators that might put them at
risk for sudden cardiac arrest and how to best seek the appropriate
medical treatment.
Sudden cardiac
arrest (SCA) annually kills more than 300,000 Americans, and its
death rate exceeds that of breast cancer, lung cancer and HIV/AIDS
combined. SCA has many causes, but a history of heart disease is
an important risk factor.
Source: Sudden Cardiac
Arrest Association
American
Heart Association Extends Sympathy to Family of Journalist Tim Russert
DALLAS -- Volunteers
and staff of the American Heart Association extend their sympathy
to the family and friends of national television journalist Tim
Russert who died suddenly on Friday.
"Tim Russert was
a respected and honored journalist and we are deeply saddened by
this loss," said Dan Jones, M.D., president of the American
Heart Association. "He was an ardent champion for those issues
that touched all of our lives, including healthcare. In fact, he
felt passionately that the media should serve as a champion for
asking the tough questions on these issues. More importantly, he
was passionate about his love for his family. Our thoughts and prayers
are with them at this time."
Media reports suggest
that Russert died suddenly of a heart attack. While many heart attacks
can be prevented before they occur, or treated while in progress
to halt or lessen the damage, not all can; coronary heart disease
is still the number one killer of men, accounting for more than
half of all deaths among men. More than 50 percent of all men who
die of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms.
For more information
on heart attacks and cardiovascular disease, visit www.americanheart.org.
Source: American
Heart Association
Pelosi Statement on Death
of Tim Russert
WASHINGTON --
Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the death
of Tim Russert:
"Today, broadcast
journalism lost one of its giants, who will be remembered along
with names like Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, and David Brinkley.
The City of Buffalo has also lost its favorite son, who loved his
city and its hometown team, the Bills. The smile that came across
Tim's face whenever he spoke of the place of his birth and his favorite
football team was one of true joy and I will never forget it.
"Tim Russert embodied
the very best in broadcast journalism and has been a fixture in
millions of living rooms every Sunday morning on 'Meet the Press,'
an institution that he shaped into one of the most influential news
and opinion programs of our time. A stellar journalist, Tim also
touched our hearts with his loving portrait of his father in the
best-selling book, 'Big Russ and Me.'"
"To everyone at
NBC News, who today lost not only a colleague, but a true friend,
I offer my deepest condolences. Most of all, my thoughts are with
Tim's wife, Maureen, and his son, Luke. I hope it is some comfort
that so many throughout the world have the Russert family in their
thoughts and prayers at this difficult time."
Source: Office of
the Speaker of the House
Newt
Gingrich Statement on the Passing of Tim Russert
HOUSTON -- Anyone
who knew Tim Russert personally and the millions who knew him from
his years at NBC News knew that he loved life and lived every moment
of it. Even though he had reached the professional pinnacle of the
political news world, you always knew and he always knew that he
was just a kid from Buffalo and he never forgot it.
Tim was genuinely charming
but as anyone who came to the set of Meet the Press unprepared can
tell you, he was direct, tough and gave no quarter. His experience
working with Gov. Mario Cuomo and Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan
gave him an insight few in the journalism world can match.
It is particularly poignant
to lose such a dedicated father and a son who so honored his father
in his book "Big Russ and Me" just before Father's Day.
Tim's life serves as
a model and a reminder for everyone to cherish the ones you love.
I considered him my friend and I will miss him. Callista and I are
praying for him and those who loved him.
Source: Gingrich
Communications
RNC Statement on the Passing
of Tim Russert
WASHINGTON --
RNC Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan released the following
statement today:
"On behalf of the members and staff of the Republican Party,
I extend our thoughts and prayers to the family and colleagues of
Tim Russert. His sudden death is a loss that will be felt throughout
the journalism and political worlds. His reputation for fairness,
accuracy and hard work earned him bipartisan respect. He will be
missed."
Source: Republican National Committee
Statements From Dan Rather
on the Passing of Tim Russert:
NEW YORK --
"Tim's passing is a loss not only to his family and many friends,
it is a loss to good journalism and to our country.
Tim, first and foremost,
was devout in his faith and deeply devoted to his family. He loved
his country with a passion and became a classic example of the ideal
American journalist.
Tim had become an important
part of our political process. He will be especially missed in this
historic presidential election year.
Tim Russert was a beacon
of quality journalism.
At a time when quality
journalism is in increasingly short supply, Tim Russert was a leader
for what is best in American journalism. He was tough but fair,
pulled no punches, played no favorites.
