In the final leg of the club’s hospital visits in the USA, non-executive director Preeti Shetty led a club delegation to meet with staff and cardiac patients from MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Jeff Dubin, chief medical officer of Medstar Washington Hospital Center and emergency physician Miriam Fischer, MD, conducted a CPR training session with club staff, non-clinical hospital staff and families of heart patients. They also covered how to use an AED.  

The group were joined by six-time heart attack survivor Miss District of Columbia 2023 Jude Maboné. Jude is a heart health and athlete safety advocate. Her diagnosis of heart disease at age 16 led her to begin campaigning to provide preemptive heart screenings and AED devices for young people.

Jude Maboné, Miss DC, said: “When I was 16 years old, I had my first heart attack. And I found out that heart disease and heart issues affect many, many people.

“People are more likely to step in and save a life if they feel like they can do it - if they feel like they're comfortable and they're confident in that - and so I’m working with MedStar this year to teach people hands-on CPR and how to use an AED because we can all be lifesavers.”

The group learned about the significant gender and racial disparities in bystander CPR. Studies show women and Black and Hispanic adults are less likely to receive life-saving CPR from a bystander, and that the District of Columbia has one of the worst rates in the US. 

After the CPR demonstration, club mascot Buzz visited hospital patients, giving out gifts to a number of people who are recovering from a range of cardiac issues. 

Preeti Shetty addressed the group and explained why the club set up the Heart of West London initiative given the affect it has on club staff, players and fans: “We’ve got really personal reasons as to why this is important to us. The Premier League has given us a megaphone to talk about these issues and people are listening.”

The visit to Medstar was the third and final hospital visit as part of the club’s US tour. Earlier in the week, club ambassadors Marcus Gayle and Gary Blissett attended the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. 

Over 30 families, including survivors, volunteers and hospital staff across the three cities were invited to attend Brentford’s Premier League Summer Series fixtures following the visits.