On Friday, we were relieved to see that Victoria Williams, who recently suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in a local store, survived her ordeal due to the fast work of bystanders who knew CPR.

“I thought I was just going on my biweekly Target run,” said Williams. “Had I not been that close to someone who knew CPR, I may not be here. They saved my brain function.”

Not wanting to leave the fate of other heart attack victims up to chance, Williams and her family have created a “Saturday CPR Blitz” on Feb. 11 at Butler Memorial Hospital, where all four CPR classes that day will be paid for by Williams and her family.

It takes a shocking situation such as Williams’ to remind us how things can change in an instant.

Most of us have to take some sort of CPR class in high school, but the certification soon expires, leaving the knowledge dormant when one might need it the most.

Paying for the class might be half the battle for most people. The CPR Blitz ensures that any who wish to learn vital, lifesaving techniques can do so, and all they need to do is register and show up.

Sarah Tusing, American Heart Association instructor at Butler Health System, said classes last about 90 minutes, and people who take a class will learn everything from the basics of identifying an emergency situation requiring CPR to applying lifesaving measures.

We strongly encourage attending a CPR class. Anyone could be the bystander in Williams’ story.

Raising awareness might mean that others who find themselves in harrowing situations come out on the other side to continue raising their children and be a positive influence in the world around them.

The classes are scheduled at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. To register, call 724-284-4699 or email education@butlerhealthsystem.org.

We commend Williams on her family’s initiative, and hope as many people as possible take advantage.

— CM