Jack Taylor, 19, from Nottingham is one of 65 people in the UK with cardiovascular disease selected by British Heart Foundation to have an iconic red bench dedicated to them as a ‘living tribute’ to raise awareness and celebrate lifesaving research.
A teenager who had a cardiac arrest while playing basketball and was given a less than 10 per cent chance of survival has been ‘honoured’ with an iconic red bench as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of research into cardiovascular disease.
Jack is one of just 65 people across the UK chosen by British Heart Foundation (BHF) to take part in its national campaign and have a red bench installed with their name on it, to celebrate 65 years of the charity funding life-saving cardiovascular research.
Behind every bench is a powerful real-life story of someone living with a cardiovascular condition – and thanks to research, they can survive to enjoy life with their loved ones.
Jack’s bench has been unveiled at Gedling Country Park- where Jack and his family have enjoyed many family days out.
Jack said: “I’m delighted to be part of this campaign to help spread awareness of cardiovascular disease. It feels cool but surreal to have a bench named after me. As a kid I’d see names on benches – everybody has their own story and now I’m putting my story out there. I hope the red benches will encourage more people to learn CPR – CPR saved my life!”
On 12th February 2024, Jack, who played competitive basketball and used to train four times a week, collapsed from a cardiac arrest while playing basketball, aged 17. An off duty Red Cross first aid instructor who was on the adjacent court, performed CPR and a defibrillator was used.
Jack was rushed to Glenfield Hospital where he spent nine days on life support before being transferred to the specialist heart unit at Harefield Hospital in London where he was diagnosed with the inherited heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. His dad and twin brother were subsequently found to also have the gene change.
Jack had less than a ten per cent chance of survival. His battle went on for months. Eventually, doctors were able to operate on Jack’s own heart to help it function adequately. He was fitted with an ICD with a pacemaker function and is now studying Software Engineering at university.
British Heart Foundation hopes that the red benches will encourage others to open up about their experience of living with cardiovascular disease.
The charity is also urging people for donations so they can help fund more groundbreaking research to keep the nation’s hearts beating.
Councillor Viv McCrossen, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Natural Habitat, said: “I’m incredibly pleased that we’ve been able to support the British Heart Foundation’s In Living Memory campaign. This bench will offer a meaningful space for the local community to pause and reflect on the importance of life saving research into cardiovascular disease. Research that enables people like Jack to share their stories.”
Every three minutes, someone in the UK dies from cardiovascular disease. Donate now to keep the nation beating – visit bhf.org.uk/keepusbeating
