Connor Shaw Turns Near-Tragedy Into a Life-Saving Mission in Columbia
Last year, Connor Shaw faced a fight far bigger than football. The former South Carolina quarterback suffered a sudden cardiac arrest — a moment that could have ended his life without warning. Instead, it became a turning point.
Shaw survived because help arrived in time. That reality now fuels his mission: making sure others in Columbia get the same chance he did.
This week, Shaw took to Instagram to reveal how deeply personal that mission has become, announcing a major partnership aimed at preventing sudden cardiac arrest from claiming more lives in the community.
“Today, we announce a powerful partnership between @HRTHUDL, @cityofcolumbiascgov, Columbia Police Department, & @prisma_health to place AEDs in 300 Frontline CPD Vehicles.”
The initiative equips Columbia Police Department patrol cars with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), dramatically increasing the odds of survival when cardiac arrest strikes outside of a hospital — where outcomes are often grim.
Shaw underscored the urgency behind the effort, writing, “Every second matters and our police are uniquely positioned to respond quickly to save lives.”
The statistics back up that sense of urgency. Sudden cardiac arrest carries a staggering 91% fatality rate outside the hospital, with 70% of incidents occurring in residential areas. For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, survival chances drop by 10%. Even with emergency services, time is the most unforgiving opponent.
That’s where the CPD’s response window becomes critical. With Priority 1 response times ranging from one to four minutes, placing AEDs directly in patrol vehicles turns officers into immediate first responders — often arriving before ambulances.
Shaw framed the effort as more than a program. To him, it’s a collective responsibility.
“This is a coalition committed to protecting Columbia. Now we ask that the community join us and answer the call.”
He closed with a direct appeal to residents to support the cause and help expand access to life-saving equipment. “Support the the CPD, AED fund raising at hrthudl.org.”
And at the heart of it all is a simple, powerful truth — one Shaw knows all too well.
“Together we will change the odds.”
What began as a terrifying medical emergency has evolved into a citywide movement. For Shaw, survival wasn’t the end of the story. It was the beginning of a promise: to make sure sudden cardiac arrest doesn’t steal loved ones before help can arrive.
