October Cascadian

C a s c a d i a n C a s c a d i a n
Vol. 20, No. 9 A Publication of the Cascades at St. Lucie West Residents Association, Inc. OCTOBER 2024
How Pickleball Saved my Life
On August 2, 2024, I played one game of pickleball at
of the Cascades community and blessed by our Lord for
our courts and decided to sit out the next game, inviting
His mercy.
a guest to take my place. That was my last memory of
George Oestreich
the incident. Seems I suffered cardiac arrest while seated
and fortunately for me I was surrounded by friends who
sprang into action. At that very moment, Parker Burns
arrived to play pickleball, but instead he administered
CPR to me for about 10 minutes, while Anna Vella,
Annette Day, Chris Hachem and Judy Andrews all
participated in helping Parker in his lifesaving role.
While at a follow up visit with the surgeon, the doctor
noted that, because I was an avid pickleball player, now
for about 4 years, my condition took me through the
quad-bypass strong. Further, he mentioned that my pre-
operation condition will assist in my recovery.
I truly believe that because of the actions, by my
attending friends, my life was saved. I am recovering
nicely at my home in Cascades. I want to thank all those
who have sent cards and emails, visited, prayed, phoned
and delivered food. My wife and I are blessed to be part
On August 20, 2024, the Board of Directors proudly
presented resident Parker Burns with an award for
his heroic administration of CPR to George Ostreich,
another resident, by the pickleball courts.
We are all grateful for Parker’s selfless act and express
our heartfelt
wishes to George.
I am very pleased
that George was
able to write the
above article.
Diane Blakeman,
General Manager
The new number
for the guest entry is
888-286-5305