The Cavalier Daily
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How to save a life

One student helps to launch CPR education in Charlottesville schools

On May 13, 2009, 34-year-old Charlottesville resident Catherine Brown was barely clinging onto life after suffering a severe cardiac arrest. But within the 12 minutes it took a University ambulance to arrive, a young woman had saved her from the unthinkable. That young woman was third-year College student Lise Kvan, who upon witnessing her mother's friend fall unconscious to the living room floor, performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

"Lise is the reason I beat the odds." Brown said. "She is the reason why I am alive."

Sudden cardiac arrests strike more than 200,000 people in the United States alone, making it the leading cause of death, according to the American Heart Association and the Red Cross. The condition

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The University’s Orientation and Transition programs are vital to supporting first year and transfer students throughout their entire transition to college. But much of their work goes into planning summer orientation sessions. Funlola Fagbohun, associate director of the first year experience, describes her experience working with OTP and how she strives to create a welcoming environment for first-years during orientation and beyond. Along with her role as associate director, summer Orientation leaders and OTP staff work continually to provide a safe and memorable experience for incoming students.