Deborah screenings save a life

When Clifford Brown's avid runner friend encouraged him to join in the race, the Brick resident started jogging and doing aerobics to get in shape.

"I couldn't understand why I got winded and felt tired and dizzy," he recalls. When Brown ran a team relay, he blacked out but still wasn't overly concerned. "I attributed it to not eating," he says.

Getting answers
Brown, a 25-year retired police officer who, with his wife, Lorraine, has four grown sons and two granddaughters, heard from a colleague about "A Gift from Captain Buscio," a program at Deborah Heart and Lung Center designed to encourage New Jersey's police, firefighters and first responders to be proactive about their cardiovascular health.

During Brown's first appointment through this program at Deborah, his stress test and electrocardiogram (EKG) showed a significant aortic valve blockage. Within a month, he was scheduled at the hospital for valve replacement surgery by cardiothoracic surgeon Arthur Ng, M.D. "We were completely surprised," says Lorraine. "Cliff had many EKGs over the years at our local physician's office, and nothing showed up."

Recovering with Deborah
Brown sailed through his surgery, but had a slight setback after discharge when he took a hot shower and ended up having to go to his local hospital. Three days later he was transferred back to Deborah with clots and fluid buildup.

"Although I had to stay here for 11 more days, I kept making progress and the care was very good," says Brown, who just celebrated his 59th birthday. He says he's had no more complications.

"I keep being told I'm doing exceptionally well. I can't say enough good things about Deborah and A Gift from Captain Buscio. The minute I walked in the door, everything was well organized and the care was excellent," he adds. "When I was having difficulty working out, I suspected something. But I had no idea that my valve was clogged. From the first test at Deborah, they knew what was wrong with me. I'm very thankful."

A gift for you!
In memory of Jersey City Fire Department Captain Dominick Buscio, his wife, Donna, in conjunction with Deborah, set up a program in which active-duty and retired New Jersey firefighters, police and first responders can obtain cardiovascular screenings. To learn more about "A Gift from Captain Buscio," call 1-800-555-1990 today.