12
PERCENT

12P.ORG

A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

Features

On March 23, 2025, my life changed. I was up early having my morning coffee and catching up on the nation's news when I started feeling strange up high in my chest. It was not something I have felt before, weird, not the normal descriptions we have all heard about heart attacks either. After some time had passed and trusting this feeling was serious, my wife and I headed towards the hospital. We first stopped at our local fire station and that ultimately saved my life because I was having the widowmaker heart attack. After discovering that is what was happening, I was rushed by ambulance to the ER where I received four stents as a band-aid preparing for quadruple bypass surgery the next morning. After a smooth recovery week in ICU, the road to recovery continued at home with physical therapy and working extra on my own to get stronger. The next step was to enroll in a Cardiac Rahab program to learn more about getting stronger the right way.

I started my cardiac rehab journey at Piedmont Augusta, where they provide inpatient and outpatient cardiac rehabilitation services to help patients recover from heart attacks, surgeries, and chronic heart conditions. The Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation team is very knowledgeable and dedicated to helping you succeed in reaching your full recovery and goals after surgery. I cannot thank Holli Childs and her amazing team enough for all that they helped me with and did for me during my recovery period.

I was out of work for 12 weeks while recovering and my wife was also out of work so that she could take care of me. I had LTD (long-term disability) with my job and we had savings, but my wife did not have her income because FMLA only saves your job for you (no pay). As I recovered, we had an outpouring of help with meals, gift cards, and monetary gifts as well. All of which started me thinking of how I could help others that are going through the same thing. That's when 12 PERCENT was born, an idea, a way to give back and a way to help people heal without stress.

Jason James

Founder/President

Our Story

Because Healing Takes More Than Medicine _________________________________

Too many people survive cardiac surgery only to face financial crisis during recovery. Lost wages, mounting bills and unexpected expenses can derail healing.

12 PERCENT provides short-term financial assistance, resources and compassionate support to individuals temporarily out of work due to open heart surgery or cardiac-related procedures. It is our goal to ensure recovery is not interrupted by financial stress.

HEBREWS 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

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A widowmaker heart attack (a 100% blockage of the Left Anterior Descending artery) has a very low survival rate of approximately 12% if it occurs outside of a hospital setting. This type of heart attack is immediately life-threatening because it stops blood flow to a large portion of the heart, making rapid emergency medical response critical.

Key Facts About Widowmaker Heart Attacks

Location Matters: The 12% survival rate is for cases occurring outside a hospital; immediate treatment by EMS drastically improves these odds.
The Cause: It occurs when the left anterior descending (LAD) artery is 80% to 100% blocked, preventing oxygen from reaching about 40% of the heart muscle.
Why the Name: It is considered the deadliest type of heart attack, often causing sudden cardiac arrest.
Symptoms: Typical symptoms include intense chest pain or pressure, pain in the arm, or feeling that something is wrong. However, some people, particularly those with diabetes, may not feel traditional symptoms.
Treatment: Immediate intervention includes angioplasty, stenting, or, in some cases, a bypass surgery.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you suspect a heart attack, call 911 immediately.

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