ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--DOMINIC MURRAY, AT THE AGE OF 17 SUFFERED SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST WHILE PLAYING HIS FAVORITE SPORT, BASKETBALL.  

HE PASSED AWAY A SHORT TIME LATER.

HIS MOTHER MELINDA MURRAY-NYACK TRAVELED TO ALBANY TO SHARE HER STORY AND ADVOCATE FOR legislation TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO HAVE A CARDIAC EMERGENCY PLAN.  

SHE SAid HER SON DIDN’T receive CPR RIGHT AWAY, OR TREATMENT FROM THE automated external defibrillator or AED THAT WAS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE GYM.  

SHE SAid BY THE TIME Emergency medical services ARRIVED IT WAS TOO LATE.  

“There was no plan in place, so when Dominic collapsed, precious minutes passed. For every minute that passes it's a ten percent less chance of survival,” said Murray-Nyack. 

HIS MOTHER SAid DOMINIC HAD AN undiagnosed HEART CONDITION.  

SOME MEDICAL EXPERTS SAid HAVING A PLAN IN PLACE—CALLING FOR HELP, KEEPING AN AED close by AND TEACHING STUDENTS AND STAFF CPR IS CRITICAL IN THE EVENT OF CARDIAC ARREST.  

“Because sometimes those seconds or minutes can lead to the difference between survival or not,” said Cardiologist Mandeep Sidhu, MD. 

THE LEGISLATION HAS SUPPORT FROM LAWMAKERS AND ADVOCATES INCLUDING representatives FROM THE NFL WHO ADVOCATE FOR CARDIAC SAFETY FOLLOWING BUFFALO BILLS SAFETY player DAMAR HAMLIN’S CARDIAC ARREST DURING A GAME.  

“Preventing avoidable tragedies and saving lives. We think that’s a winning game plan for young people and school communities across the state,” said Kenneth Edmonds, vice president of public policy and government affairs for the NFL. 

The legislation is currently in Senate and Assembly committees.