Case Study: Jack - "Jack's story shows just how important CPR is"

On a cold February night in 2024, 17-year-old Jack Taylor went to basketball practice unaware of the experience that was ahead of him. As he began playing, Jack felt dizzy and signalled to be replaced. Moments later, he collapsed on the court in cardiac arrest. 

Jamie Perringe, a Red Cross First Aid Trainer who is now a paramedic, was on the adjacent court and immediately rushed to help. He called 999, started CPR and shouted for someone to grab a defibrillator. Jack was shocked several times while Jamie continued CPR for around 30 minutes, until specialist ambulance crews arrived and took him to Leicester’s Glenfield Hospital. 

Jack’s parents were rushed to the hospital by police, where Jack remained critically ill on life support. Nine days later, he was transferred to Harefield Hospital in London for assessment for a heart transplant. At Harefield, doctors discovered Jack had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic heart condition that had previously been undiagnosed. He also developed severe chest infections caused by a leaking mitral valve and was given less than a 10% chance of survival. 

A specialist team, led by surgeon Fabio de Robertis, ultimately performed groundbreaking surgery to repair Jack’s mitral valve, allowing him to keep his own heart.

After eight weeks at Harefield, Jack left with a pacemaker and began neurorehabilitation, relearning how to walk and talk. He was left with a hypoxic brain injury and dysarthria but, through determination and hard work, has made an extraordinary recovery. 

Now 20, Jack is studying Software Engineering at Nottingham Trent University and is about to begin his second year. He enjoys spending time with friends, playing guitar and taking part in sport. Recent tests show his heart is healthy. 

Andrea added: “Jack’s story shows just how important CPR is. Jamie never gave up on him and his quick response gave Jack the chance to survive.”