02/05/2026
At 3 a.m., Rafaelito was breathing so loud and fast that he woke up his wife, MiLinda. She flipped on the lamp to find Rafaelito's face pale and his lips tinged blue. MiLinda dialed 911, unlocked their front door for first responders, then ran back to their bedroom and started CPR.
It took three shocks from an AED after first responders arrived to get his heart beating again. Now he has an implanted defibrillator that can shock his heart into a normal rhythm if needed.
After their experience, the family has made it their mission to spread awareness about the importance of quick action. "Call 911 as soon as you can," MiLinda said. "You can save a life."
In a cardiac emergency, the first responder is you! Call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest until help arrives.
Walgreens is a national sponsor of American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers.