YOLA NASH, M.S.
CPR Awareness.org Founder, TV and Radio Host, Producer, Singer

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Check my biography and some highlights of which I am so proud.
Yola Nash Biography

HOW IT ALL STARTED

About two years ago Yola Nash (radio/TV journalist, singer) was the host of a summer festival in Sommerville, New Jersey, and one of the performers, a popular magician, suffered a massive heart attack during his show on stage. She rushed to help while thousands of people looked on and panicked. Yola worked for over 25 minutes, using CPR, to keep his heart going until the ambulance arrived. His breathing and his heart stopped many times during this ordeal, but she continued to work, keeping him alive long after many would probably have given up.

Later the magician had an open heart surgery and received a highly sophisticated device implanted into his heart, called a defibrillator and survived. (Defibrillators provide a shock to the heart, restoring it to it's normal rhythm. Its purpose is to prevent cardiac arrest, a condition where the heart stops or is unable to pump blood.)

In recognition for her action, Yola Nash received a "Commendation of Heroic Action" from the Governor of the State of New Jersey, Richard J. Codey. She was also congratulated by such honorable organizations as the American Heart Association and President Bill Clinton's Foundation, who was moved by her courage and determination. Yola's quick action during this traumatic event drew attention from several media publications and also inspired her to create a special program for schools called Feel the Beat /CPR Awareness For Young People. The program was already tested in one of the "top public high schools" (New York Magazine), the Young Women's Leadership School, and proved to be very successful. The event was featured as a "top story" by NY1 TV, and was attended by the Director of the American Heart Association, Mark Hurley.

The school project teaches students the lifesaving technique CPR, incorporating CPR demonstrations and live music into a traveling assembly program. Yola also formed the organization CPRAwareness.org, established a CPR Awareness Day of NYC and organized a unique concert "Feel the Beat." In support, Yola and her organization received a special proclamation from NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

First "FEEL THE BEAT" Concert For CPR Awareness

Held on October 1, 2006 at TRIBECA Performing Arts Center, Manhattan, New York for CPR Awareness was a very unique, beautiful experience, described as a one of a kind, memorable musical fiesta. Straight-ahead main stream swinging jazz by Wynton Marsalis; a complex, sophisticated piece of early-21st-century classical music by Mark O'Connor; innovative, surprisingly eclectic modern jazz by Ted Nash; and much more. NYC Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, supported Feel the Beat by officially proclaiming October 1st CPR Awareness Day of NYC. "New York City is proud to host Feel The Beat, a celebration of CPR Awareness Day. This is wonderful opportunity for the community to come together to take in exciting live performances, learn vital skills in emergency response and CPR, and support a CPR Awareness program for underprivileged high school students."

Feel the Beat featured world-renowned artists such as Wynton Marsalis, multi-Grammy Award winner, legendary trumpet player, composer, educator and artistic director of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra; and Mark O'Connor, Grammy Award winner and violin virtuoso, with his brilliantly original Appalachian Waltz Trio (Andra Voldins-viola, Mike Block-cello). Also performed: Ted Nash (rising star in jazz, extraordinary saxophonist with his innovative group Odeon; Wycliffe Gordon (winner of several awards -best trombonist category); Bill Schimmel (virtuoso accordionist, Grammy-nominee); Frank Kimbrough (an elite pianist-composer); Ben Allison (nationally acclaimed bassist); and Ali Jackson (JLCO drummer).

The event was hosted by popular NYC artists: actor and stand-up comedian Clayton Fletcher (Sex and the City, Buddy Holly Story), and singer-radio personality Yola Naklicka-Nash (WRKL, WLIM), Feel the Beat/CPR Awareness Founder, concert organizer. Guest vocal performances were also delivered by Yola with the accompaniment of Odeon, as well as Frank Kimborough and Ben Allison.

We would like to thank all of our generous sponsors: Sam Ash Music, Palmetto Records, Jazz is Now, Office of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, as well as our friends and people with a great hearts who supported the concert and the Feel the Beat high school project.