The quick-thinking actions of parents and bystanders at a junior game of touch footy match in the rural town of Yass have saved the life of a 10-year-old boy.
Tala Teofilo had run the full length of the pitch before scoring a try for his team and had been celebrating with his team-mates when he suffered a heart attack and collapsed on the pitch.
His stepmother, Kass, told The Daily Telegraph that had it not been for the quick response from his aunt and others who rushed on within seconds to perform CPR, ‘we would be in a completely different situation’.
Tala’s heart is reported to have stopped intermittently for five minutes.
Paramedics were called and off-duty medical professionals had used a defibrillator before the 10-year-old was flown to Westmead.
He is now, thankfully, awake and talking, but has been diagnosed with a heart condition.
Tala Teofilo had run the full length of the pitch before scoring a try for his team and had been celebrating with his team-mates when he suffered a heart attack and collapsed on the pitch, he was taken to hospital where he is set to undergo open heart surgery
‘No one had any idea something like this could happen,’ his stepmother told the outlet.
‘He has been active his whole life,’ she added.
Tala will undergo open-heart surgery on Wednesday, after tests revealed he had an anomalous coronary artery.
The condition means that Tala’s coronary artery has developed in a different location than typically expected.
Despite being hospitalised with the condition, the young man has been in high spirits despite the shocking news.
‘He’s the kind of kid who makes you smile,’ his stepmum told The Daily Telegraph.
Amanda Teofilo has now set up a GoFundMe page to support Tala’s family during the difficult period.
The fundraiser has raised over $15,000 at the time of writing.
‘After countless tests, doctors have identified the cause of the cardiac event, and Tala is scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery next week. This has come as a huge shock to both his family and the entire community,’ Amanda writes on the GoFundMe page.
‘While his loved ones focus on being by his side, the costs are already beginning to build—travel, accommodation, time away from work, and all the unexpected expenses that come with such a sudden medical emergency.
‘We are reaching out to rally support for Tala and his family during this difficult time. Any contribution, no matter the amount, will make a meaningful difference and help ease the financial stress so they can focus solely on his recovery.’
His stepmother has thanked the community for all their support, and has urged members of the public to undergo CPR training.
‘It saved his life. You never know when you might need it,’ she said.
