Founder’s Story: Dale Wakasugi

A Life Saved—A Life Dedicated to Saving Others

It all began in Seattle in 1995. At the age of 36, Dale Wakasugi—an active, healthy, non-smoking former college baseball player—suffered a heart attack. Despite having no major risk factors, Dale fell victim to his family history of heart disease. The diagnosis: a myocardial infarction (MI) caused by a blockage in the LAD (left anterior descending) artery, often called the "windowmaker."

The blockage wasn’t severe enough to require surgery or a stent at the time. Dale was prescribed diet and exercise and moved to Minnesota for work, where he remained committed to his health, regularly visiting his cardiologist and passing annual stress tests.

In 1998, Dale began refereeing high school basketball games — a way to stay fit and involved in the community. But everything changed on December 13, 2007.

With five minutes left in a game at Fridley High School, Dale collapsed on the court from sudden cardiac arrest. Fortunately, an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) was mounted in the gym. One of the people who rushed to help was 11th grader Lindsey Paradise, who had just learned CPR and AED use in her health class three weeks earlier. Her swift action — along with others present — helped save Dale’s life.

At the hospital, Dale had three stents placed in his LAD artery — the very outcome his cardiologist had warned might eventually be necessary. But just three days later, while recuperating at home, Dale began to feel ill again. His stents had clotted, triggering a second heart attack. He was rushed back in, where two more stents were inserted to seal the original ones.

Concerned about the possibility of future cardiac events, Dale’s cardiologist recommended an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) be placed in his chest — a built-in safeguard that could deliver life-saving shocks if his heart stopped again. Dale went home for Christmas on December 25, 2007, and by February 4, 2008, he was back on the basketball court officiating games.

But the journey wasn’t over.

On November 26, 2010, Dale collapsed again — this time during a girls' high school basketball game. Unlike the 2007 incident, no one needed to grab an AED. His ICD immediately delivered a shock, restoring his heart rhythm and saving his life.

Then, on November 17, 2017, Dale suffered a stroke that left him temporarily debilitated. With characteristic resilience, he recovered and continued his mission: teaching CPR and installing AEDs across public spaces.

In November 2020, Dale underwent angioplasty and additional stenting in his circumflex artery. By December 2020, his right coronary artery had also been treated. His LAD artery is now non-functional, but modern interventions — and quick action — have kept him alive.

Today, Dale lives with an ICD in his chest and a passionate mission in his heart.

"It is my lifetime goal to help raise awareness about cardiac arrest, heart disease, AEDs, and the importance of learning CPR. You could save a life."



His message is clear and powerful: Good CPR and quick AED access saved his life — and they can save countless others. Through education, advocacy, and public installations, Dale is committed to making AEDs accessible wherever cardiac emergencies can strike.

AEDs & Accessories