Survivor meets rescuers on Thursday, World Restart a Heart Day
WHAT: Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor John Bonhotal meets the Southwest Airlines and Albany County Sheriff’s Department staff who revived him after sudden cardiac arrest at Albany International Airport
WHO: John Bonhotal, who survived a sudden cardiac arrest while checking in for a Southwest flight on Sept. 8 at Albany International Airport
Peter Stuto, CEO, Albany International Airport
Southwest staffers who began the chain of survival by providing CPR and getting the AED
Albany County Sheriff’s deputies who responded to the 9-1-1 call
Michael-Aaron Poindexter, chief program officer, The Regional Food Bank; chair, board of directors, American Heart Association of the Capital Region
Dr. Michael Dailey, chief of prehospital and operational medicine at Albany Medical Center, a member of the Albany Med Health System, and regional EMS Medical Director of the Hudson Mohawk Region - REMO
Assistant Chief of EMS, Town of Colonie, Robbie Maccue, who will provide Hands-Only CPR demos and AED demonstrations
WHERE: Albany International Airport
Southwest Ticket Desk
737 Albany Shaker Road, Albany
- Parking Information: Albany County Airport Authority Lot located between the South Parking Garage and the Main Terminal (site of event).
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, World Restart a Heart Day at 11:30 a.m.
MORE: Each year, nearly 350,000 people suffer out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest. Only 10 % survive. Having CPR performed doubles or triples the chances of survival. The American Heart Association is working to create a Nation of Lifesavers, where at least one member of every home knows Hands-Only CPR. Since launching the Nation of Lifesavers, 17.7 more people now know Hands-Only CPR. Southwest Airlines and the Albany International Airport had the right parts of the Chain of Survival in place, making the response from the Albany County Sheriff’s Office and Colonie EMS more effective.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Katherine McCarthy, Sr. Director, Marketing Communications, New York State, American Heart Association, 518.366.7920 or Katherine.McCarthy@heart.org.
Matt Hunter, Director of Communications, Albany International Airport, 518.225.0641 or Mhunter@albanyairport.com
