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Sharing Our Stories

Ryan Markel left for school on a day that began just like any other. Then the unthinkable happened. Ryan drowned in his school’s pool.

Losing a child is a tragedy from which a family never really recovers. But Ryan’s mother, Sandy Markel, became determined that no other parent should have to experience such a horrific loss. "My goal in life is to make learning CPR mandatory in schools," Sandy emphatically states. In 2003, she founded Ryan’s Hope and began teaching CPR both in schools and to the community at large.

Little did she know that, five years later, her training would make the difference between life and death for her daughter.

Amanda Markel, 18, was enjoying an evening with friends. After going out for pizza, the group converged on the Markel’s family room. Then, for no apparent reason, Amanda collapsed. As soon as Sandy heard the words, "Something’s wrong," from Amanda’s friend Kevin, she rushed into action. Amanda was unconscious and desperately gasping for air. While Kevin dialed 9-1-1, Sandy began CPR. When her husband entered the room, he began chest compressions while Sandy continued giving Amanda rescue breaths.

By now the paramedics were arriving at the Markel home. First through the door was Sandy’s cousin, Doug Wilkowski, who is a fire chief and had an AED in his car. Another paramedic intubated Amanda, who let out a scream. "It was the best scream I ever heard in my life," Sandy said.

Although the exact cause has never been pinpointed, it was determined that Amanda had gone into sudden cardiac arrest. She has since had a pacemaker with a defibrillator implanted. A student at Medaille College, Amanda is planning on a teaching career. If it were not for Sandy’s quick action, she would have lost her remaining child. All Sandy can say is, "It’s a miracle."

As she continues her work through Ryan’s Hope, Sandy says, "I want people to learn CPR. It should be mandated that every single parent learns CPR."

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