Impact Stories
Ascension Borgess Foundation
Second Chance: Cardiac patient honors those who saved his life
April 10, 2010 is a special date for Chris Denick (formerly of Richland), because it was nearly his last day alive.
Chris and three of his friends went golfing that day at Yarrow Golf and Conference Resort in Augusta, Michigan. At the 13th hole, Chris began feeling dizzy.
“My friends said I bent over and placed my hands on my knees before falling backwards,” says Chris, who now lives in Sanibel, Florida.
“I had a major heart attack.”
Chris, who was just 46 at the time, had never had any serious health issues. The other members of his foursome took immediate action. While John Ward called 911 and went to the clubhouse in search of a defibrillator, Keith Gregory and Mark Leineke provided CPR.
“Mark constantly did compressions, which was enough to keep a flicker of hope going,” Chris says. “He had recently taken a CPR course. I invited him to golf only the day before.”
Chris arrived at Ascension Borgess Hospital in a coma. The outlook was grim. “The cardiologist used a medical device to cool my body temperature, thereby reducing the risk of brain damage,” Chris says. “Everyone was extremely concerned.”
Remarkably, after four days, Chris emerged from his coma. Shortly thereafter, he underwent a procedure to remove major blockages from three heart arteries. The surgeons also installed an automatic defibrillator. Afterwards, Chris began a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program at the Borgess Health and Fitness Center.
Since recovering, Chris has actively supported cardiac care at Borgess philanthropically. This past April, he paid special tribute to the members of his foursome who helped save his life 15 years ago. His donation in their names will support Borgess’ cardiac rehabilitation program.
Gifts to support cardiology at Borgess ensure that patients like Chris receive the best care using innovative technology in the most advanced facilities. Lives are saved every day thanks to donations made to cardiology programs. Make your gift today, and ensure patients like Chris can survive life threatening heart-related events.
In addition to his giving, Chris Denick has supported Borgess by participating in the annual Golf for Health tournament. He is pictured above with Kate Tillotson, former WWMT anchor and Borgess Foundation Board Member, at the Golf for Health tournament in 2013– three years after experiencing a heart attack while golfing.
If you’d like to make a tribute gift and leave a lasting impact on the cardiac care Borgess Hospital provides, please visit ascnmifnd.org/abf-heart.
Chris and three of his friends went golfing that day at Yarrow Golf and Conference Resort in Augusta, Michigan. At the 13th hole, Chris began feeling dizzy.
“My friends said I bent over and placed my hands on my knees before falling backwards,” says Chris, who now lives in Sanibel, Florida.
“I had a major heart attack.”
Chris, who was just 46 at the time, had never had any serious health issues. The other members of his foursome took immediate action. While John Ward called 911 and went to the clubhouse in search of a defibrillator, Keith Gregory and Mark Leineke provided CPR.
“Mark constantly did compressions, which was enough to keep a flicker of hope going,” Chris says. “He had recently taken a CPR course. I invited him to golf only the day before.”
Chris arrived at Ascension Borgess Hospital in a coma. The outlook was grim. “The cardiologist used a medical device to cool my body temperature, thereby reducing the risk of brain damage,” Chris says. “Everyone was extremely concerned.”
Remarkably, after four days, Chris emerged from his coma. Shortly thereafter, he underwent a procedure to remove major blockages from three heart arteries. The surgeons also installed an automatic defibrillator. Afterwards, Chris began a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program at the Borgess Health and Fitness Center.
“It’s amazing that I came through all of that,” says Chris, who works as a consultant for manufacturing and industrial companies. “I can’t say enough about the doctors, nurses and other caregivers at Borgess. I’m still here because of them.”
He adds that the cardiac rehabilitation staff were instrumental in helping him emotionally. “After such a traumatic experience, I had doubts about what I’d be able to do physically,” Chris says. “I’d see people working out in the fitness center and wonder if I would ever be able to do those things again. Then, I changed my diet, lost weight, and gained strength. The support and confidence I received from the rehab caregivers made me believe in myself.”Since recovering, Chris has actively supported cardiac care at Borgess philanthropically. This past April, he paid special tribute to the members of his foursome who helped save his life 15 years ago. His donation in their names will support Borgess’ cardiac rehabilitation program.
“I want to support cardiac rehab impact on patients while recognizing the lifesaving help of my friends,” Chris says. “I know from my own experience that donations like mine have an immediate and positive impact on cardiac patients. Those gifts give people a second chance.”
Kim Loftus, CFRE, Chief Development Officer of the Ascension Borgess Foundation, says tribute gifts are a great way for donors to honor special people or a special occasion.“A tribute gift is a meaningful way to express appreciation, celebrate a milestone, or honor a loved one,” she says. “It allows donors to show gratitude for people who have made a difference in their lives, commemorate an event or keep a loved one’s memory alive while supporting a cause they care about.”
Gifts to support cardiology at Borgess ensure that patients like Chris receive the best care using innovative technology in the most advanced facilities. Lives are saved every day thanks to donations made to cardiology programs. Make your gift today, and ensure patients like Chris can survive life threatening heart-related events.In addition to his giving, Chris Denick has supported Borgess by participating in the annual Golf for Health tournament. He is pictured above with Kate Tillotson, former WWMT anchor and Borgess Foundation Board Member, at the Golf for Health tournament in 2013– three years after experiencing a heart attack while golfing.
If you’d like to make a tribute gift and leave a lasting impact on the cardiac care Borgess Hospital provides, please visit ascnmifnd.org/abf-heart.