A near death experience has shaped the way that Jesse Amato goes about his life. He chats with Tara Murray about growing up in Brimbank and using his experiences to help other people.
-Tell us about your connection to Brimbank?
My connection to Brimbank comes in many forms. I’ve lived in Brimbank my entire life, attending kindergarten, primary school and high school here. I’ve represented sports teams in Brimbank and I’ve even worked here too. My childhood friends are from Brimbank and now some of them are now raising families of their own here.
-What is your favourite thing about Brimbank?
Most definitely it’s the friendly people who I’ve gotten to know over the years. We’re one big community all doing our best to help each other out. I think the hardworking and welcoming people of Brimbank have created a culture that I’m incredibly proud of, and it’s one that should be celebrated.
-Where do you love to go in Brimbank?
Growing up a stones throw from Brimbank Park has provided a catalogue of fond memories that I often think back to, so it’s always great to get back there. To me, it’s been the meeting place that friends and family have gathered over the years to enjoy each others company. On a clear day, when there’s no training (usually during the summer months) I also love taking our dog for a walk down to Joe Brown Oval for a stroll across the luscious green grass at sunset. There‘s something Incredibly soothing about watching the sun set over a peaceful Keilor Village.
-You’re involved with Heart of the Nation. How did you get involved with that?
In January 2021, I suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest playing indoor soccer. I was 24 at the time, and had no pre-existing health conditions. I was saved by off-duty police officer, Todd, who commenced CPR within a minute of my collapse. His quick thinking and effective CPR is the reason I’m still here today. The survival rate for out hospital sudden cardiac arrests is less that 10 per cent After realising how lucky I was to be alive, I started thinking about the lessons I could take from my experience. All that thought culminated into me writing an article detailing my story, and my key takeaways. The cause of my event is still unknown after every test under the sun, highlighting that it really can happen to anyone at anytime. Shortly after sharing my article, Former Yellow Wiggle and recent cardiac arrest survivor, Greg Page got in touch. Not long after his cardiac arrest, Greg founded Heart of The Nation, a charity on a mission to help raise the survival rate from Sudden Cardiac Arrest. It wasn’t long before I was on board, helping Greg and all involved with Heart of the Nation with their mission.
-What are you hoping to achieve with the Heart of the Nation?
Survival rates for Sudden Cardiac Arrest are incredibly low. Ninety per cent of the roughly 30,000 people who suffer Sudden Cardiac Arrests in Australia each year don’t survive. That’s about 27,000 deaths each year. For perspective, there were 1,123 road crash deaths in Australia in 2021. I’m not for a minute suggesting that road safety isn’t an issue, it is. What I’m saying is that there is a lot that can be done to increase the survival rate of sudden cardiac arrests. They can happen to any, one at any time regardless of age or health status. I’m the perfect example of that. A sudden cardiac arrest is a death sentence if untreated, but if it’s treated correctly and quickly, people have a higher chance at returning to their normal lives. Through Heart of the Nation, I want to simply help increase the survival rates of cardiac arrest because we all deserve the second chance I was lucky enough to get.
