Worthington Teen Campaigns For AED Bill Awaiting Gov. DeWine's Signature

WORTHINGTON, Ohio (WSYX) — A bill soon to be on Gov. Mike DeWine's desk for signature would require AEDs in all Ohio public and private schools and recreational facilities.

Canen Dickman, a sophomore at Worthington Kilbourne High School, said an AED saved his life.

On July 7, 2023, during a soccer practice, Canen collapsed. He suffered a sudden cardiac arrest on the track. One of his coaches began performing CPR, while the other grabbed an AED.

After his release from the hospital, Canen wondered if he would be able to play football again. He is now preparing for a season on the football team.

“I started practicing football to get ready for the summer,” Canen said. “So I’ve been in a few of those practices and I’ve been feeling pretty good. It’s really good to get back into it.”

When he's not on the field or track, Canen advocates for more AEDs in schools and public places.

Last February, Canen partnered with Zoll to donate a stand-alone external defibrillator to Worthington Kilbourne as part of its Heroes For Life program.

He also testified in support of HB 47 at the Ohio State Capitol, telling his story of survival. Both the Senate and House of Representatives passed the bill in June.

“It makes me excited because I advocated for this bill, and it makes me feel a lot more comfortable for kids who might be going through something that I've been through,” he said.

In addition to requiring AEDs in all Ohio public schools, licensed nonpublic schools and recreational facilities, the bill directs the Ohio Department of Health to create an action plan for the use of these devices.

“It’s very important to have AEDs in Ohio schools, but it’s also very important to have a plan of action so that the AED is not just a decoration on the wall and can be used.”

Canen also traveled to Washington, D.C., with the American Heart Association Ohio in May. He met with lawmakers to advocate for the HEARTS Act and the AED Access Act. The legislation would authorize federal funding to provide CPR and AED training to students, staff and coaches, as well as funding to purchase AEDs.

As Canen passes the one-year mark since his sudden cardiac arrest, he says he's grateful for another year of life.

“The year has gone by really fast,” he said. “I’ve been really busy, a lot has happened, and I’m really grateful that it’s all worked out the way it has.”

According to Governor DeWine's office, as of July 3, the office had not received the bill to sign. It could take a few days, or even weeks, for the bill to appear on DeWine's desk.