NORWICH – Last week, New York high school students came one step closer to having yet more work placed upon their curriculum as legislation was passed ahead of the summer break – but few are complaining.

The administration of CPR training in public high schools throughout the state is now permitted thanks to the rallied efforts of supporters such as Doreen Rowe and her daughter Amy of Norwich, who assembled at the Capital in Albany earlier in the month looking to bring CPR training to high school classrooms.

“After dinner one evening last December, I thought I had indigestion,” Doreen Rowe said. “I was going into cardiac arrest.” That’s when Amy Rowe, Doreene’s 25-year-old daughter, acted upon instinct and initiated life-saving CPR to her ailing mother.

After calling 911, Amy performed CPR on her mother for nearly 23 minutes. “She saved my life... I was in a coma for eight days, but I am doing well now,” said Rowe.

Since May 5 – on every legislative day – the American Heart Association has shared a story of someone impacted sudden cardiac arrest with lawmakers and media, and shared it on social media.

On June 3, Doreen and Amy congregated with other organizers at the Legislative Office Building at the Capitol as part of the American Heart Association's CPR Rally.