The Stephen and Jackie Goldman Family – CPR Save-A-Life Fund

Providing Free and Discounted CPR Classes to Residents in Northeast Florida

When an emergency happens on our JCA campus, frontline staff members are certified and equipped with the skills and knowledge to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Using a combination of techniques, rescue breathing and an automated external defibrillator (AED) to help when a person’s heart cannot pump blood – our staff members know the sooner they administer help, the better a person’s chance of survival. Founding member and former JCA President Stephen Goldman and his family learned this firsthand while vacationing in New York City this summer.

“I went into cardiac arrest in New York City and my family began screaming for help,” Stephen Goldman explains. “Fortunately, within five minutes, two nurses who happened to be close by began CPR on me. When the amazing New York City fire medics arrived, they continued administering CPR and transported me to the hospital. Their actions saved my life.”

After three and a half weeks of recovery in the New York University hospital intensive care unit, Stephen was discharged to fly home and continue cardiac rehab therapy at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.  

“In going through this, I learned firsthand how important having the knowledge and skills to save someone’s life is,” says Stephen. “That is why we are establishing the CPR Save-A-Life Fund – so we can give more people the opportunity to learn CPR and potentially save a life.”

After the incident, Stephen and his family wanted to do something to honor the nurses and medics who helped save his life in New York City. As they discussed the need for more people to acquire life-saving CPR skills, the Goldmans thought there would be no better way than by providing our community with free and discounted CPR classes. Established in July 2024, the Stephen and Jackie Goldman Family – CPR Save-A-Life Fund now allows free community CPR classes to JCA members and to our guests at a discounted rate.

Our JCA family is incredibly thankful for this priceless gift from the Goldman family. In saving countless lives on the JCA campus, our staff members know the value of CPR and how critical it is to have these skills. This generous gift allows us to educate even more people in Jacksonville on how to save a life with CPR. Community CPR classes are offered throughout the year by our Aquatics and Fitness and Wellness teams.

Our JCA is proud to be an American Red Cross Licensed Training Provider. Thanks to the CPR
Save-A-Life Fund, Community CPR classes are free to valued JCA members and offered to guests for $60.

The next Community Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED/First Aid course happens on Sun, Sep 29 at 12 pm. Registration is required by Sep 19; click here to register and learn more about our upcoming CPR courses.