Chen Danzinger, age 29 and pregnant, was walking into school to begin her day of teaching at a school in Beit Shemesh when she suddenly collapsed. It was a heart attack.

Two 17-year-old high school students performed CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until the Magen David Adom ambulance crew arrived, restored Danzinger’s pulse, and raced her to the Hadassah Medical Center’s Trauma Unit.

Dr. Gabi Elbaz-Greener, senior cardiologist at Hadassah explained that “This is certainly an extraordinary cardiovascular event, which manifest itself as a life-threatening arrhythmia. Without the life-saving treatment of both students and MDA staff – Chen would not be here with us.

The following day the high school students who had saved their teacher’s life came to visit her at the Hadassah Hospital.

Chen was overwhelmed as the teens talked about their joy at having been able to save not only her life, but also the life of her unborn child. One of them told her that ”As a citizen, it was my duty to try to save you”. Chen, who teaches civics realized that her lessons really had made an impact on her students and had probably saved her life.

Chen is doing well but will have to undergo further treatment, including a genetic investigation in the Hadassah Cardio-genetic Clinic, as it turns out that her brother who now serves as a Rabbi in Mexico, has also been a cardiac patient at Hadassah.

Picture caption:  Chen Danzinger  with cardiologist Gabi Elbaz-Greener and students.

Read more in Arutz Sheva.     The  Jerusalem Post