For most people, October spells a season of apple picking, Halloween costumes and pumpkin spice lattes. But for Fordham Softball alum Sarah Taffet, this month represents something much more momentous than hayrides and cider — it is the two-year marker of her second chance at life.
On Oct. 3, 2021, Taffet went into cardiac arrest during a fall game against Villanova University. Her world turned black as a tag to the chest left her staggering, eventually collapsing to the ground. Fear and panic flooded through the field as athletic trainer Bridget Ward sprinted to her side. The players cried and embraced one another as Taffet’s parents feared the worst. Onlookers held their breath as Ward searched for the absent pulse. She immediately started lifesaving CPR. Two and a half minutes felt like ages as people prayed for her recovery. Then, after two rounds of CPR and a shock from the automated external defibrillator (AED), her teammates recount hearing a large, gasping breath.
Taffet was brought back to life.
After lengthy research and persistence by the doctors, they discovered that Taffet had a rare defect called ALCAPA, or anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. This one-in-300,000 defect is most often detected during infancy, and of those diagnosed during adulthood, most don’t survive. The situation was emergent, and on Nov. 1, Taffet went in for open heart surgery. The surgery was a success, allowing her to play two more seasons with Fordham Softball and continue a life that so easily could have been cut short. Since then, Taffet found her calling to be an advocate on the importance of CPR/AED awareness. “This was never something I was passionate about,” she shared, “but after seeing how this super easy skill helped save my life, it became my mission to educate those around me.”
Now, after the day’s second anniversary, Taffet reflects on her journey and all she has done to maintain her mission. “It’s crazy to think that it has already been two years since my cardiac arrest,” Taffet said. “I am so lucky and grateful to be here and be able to make an impact.”
This summer, Taffet and Buffalo Bill’s safety Damar Hamlin were asked to be a part of the New York Yankees’ annual Helping Others Persevere and Excel (HOPE) Week. Hamlin also went into cardiac arrest on the field last winter. There, she helped teach CPR to the Yankee players and also threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the according game. Even as a die-hard Mets fan, Taffet said she enjoyed her time with the Yankees and expressed her gratitude for being able to share her story. “HOPE Week was absolutely incredible!” she exclaimed. “It really inspired me to continue finding new ways to advocate for this cause.”
Meeting Hamlin was especially touching for Taffet. “Being able to connect with someone who went through what I also did was such a special experience,” she recalls, noting with a laugh how they even exchanged autographs. “Seeing the work he has done thus far has seriously inspired me to continue doing my part.”
Most notable of all, Taffet was finally able to find some closure. “[It was] kind of like a full circle moment,” she smiled, “just to see where I was, the people I was with — I was and always will be so grateful for such a special, once-in-a lifetime experience.”
To this day, Taffet still constantly thinks about the people who helped save her, especially Ward. But now, she’s set her eyes on something new, something greater — her life to come. Since that fateful day, Taffet has a new value and appreciation for life, and she plans to live her second chance as much as she can, for even just having a heart beat is a gift to her. “I’m just excited to live my life, a life that was almost taken away two years ago,” she preached.
From a partially biased interviewer, it is safe to say she has a wonderful future ahead. Taffet has just finished college with a masters degree in Media Management and has her first full-time job. She has recently taken a trip to Colombia and even plans to run a marathon in the near future. As for continuing to spread CPR/AED awareness, that is a mission she’ll never quit.
With much wisdom and compassion beyond her years, Taffet leaves us with some advice: “Take those chances, have no fear, and just go out there and be yourself.” She knows more than most how fleeting life can be, and she embraces this fact as a challenge — a challenge to live.
“I’m going to enjoy every second of every day of this beautiful life,” she said, taking a sip of her pumpkin spice latte.
