Ben Breedlove

Benjamin Breedlove
Born	Benjamin Daniel Breedlove (1993-08-08)August 8, 1993 Austin, Texas
Died	December 25, 2011(2011-12-25) (aged 18) Austin, Texas
Cause of death	Cardiac arrest
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Westlake High School[1]
Occupation	Internet personality
Years active	2009–2011
Internet information
Web alias(es)	OurAdvice4You BreedloveTV TotalRandomness512
Web hosting service(s)	YouTube

Benjamin Daniel Breedlove (August 8, 1993 – December 25, 2011)^[2] was an American Internet personality from Austin, Texas, known for his blogs on YouTube.^[2][3] On the night of December 25, 2011, he died of cardiac arrest at the age of 18.^[2][4]

Personal life

Breedlove grew up in Austin, Texas, where he was a senior at Westlake High School. He lived with his parents and two siblings, older sister Ally and younger brother Jake.^[1][4] In 2010, he began making video blogs on YouTube, in which he dealt out relationship advice to his peers.^[4]

YouTube

Breedlove created the OurAdvice4You channel on YouTube in November 2010 with friends, Justin Miller and Megan Parken.^[2][3][5] He would give out relationship advice to his viewers and interview family members and friends. On May 23, 2011, he launched his second channel, BreedloveTV, a companion channel to his first, where he would answer questions about dating, relationships and advice.^[2] According to family members, girls from all over the world would message Breedlove, asking him for advice. In his hometown, Breedlove became a celebrity to many teenagers; he was continually asked to be in pictures with his fans.^[6]

As of 7 February 2012 (2012 -02-07)^[update], OurAdvice4You has a total of 38 videos, and more than 66,000 subscribers, and BreedloveTV has 17 videos and over 34,000 subscribers.

A third channel was created by Breedlove on December 18, 2011, entitled TotalRandomness512. This channel is the host of the two-part video, "This is my story", which has since become viral. As of 25 May 2012 (2012 -05-25)^[update], both videos have a total of 11.9 million views.^[2]

Heart condition

At an early age, Breedlove had been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a muscle heart disease which made it difficult for his heart to pump blood, ultimately leading to cardiac issues. His doctor believed that Breedlove would not survive past his early teenage years.^[1]

"This is my story"

On December 18, 2011, Breedlove released a 2-part video on YouTube, entitled "This is my story." Breedlove opens up about his heart condition as well as the impact it had on his life, using note cards. He also mentioned three near-death experiences.^[7]

Breedlove in September 2011.

In the video, Breedlove describes the first time he "cheated" death, which was at the age of 4 when he had a life-threatening seizure.^[7] He goes on to describe an experience he had in a hospital while being wheeled on a stretcher, "There was this big bright light above me ... I couldn't make out what is was because it was so bright. I told my mom, 'Look at the bright light' and pointed up. She said she didn't see anything."^[2][4][8]

On May 3, 2009, Breedlove underwent surgery to insert a pacemaker.^[2] The pacemaker helped regulate his heart beat and gave him more energy.^[1] In the video he shows a red scar on his chest, where the pacemaker had been inserted.^[8]

In the summer of 2011, Breedlove fell into his second cardiac arrest, while in the hospital for a routine tonsillectomy. He stated that, "It was a miracle that they brought me back ... I was scared to die, but am SO glad I didn't."^[2]

The third time Breedlove survived death was on December 6, 2011. While in the hall at Westlake High School, he felt that he was going to faint, so he sat down on a bench where he then passed out. The next thing he recollects is being surrounded by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, and that he was unable to speak or move. He remembers passing out a second time after being resuscitated with a "shock pad". During this time his heart ceased pumping blood for three minutes.^[8][9] While unconscious, Breedlove had a feeling of comfort similar to that of his first near-death experience. He recalls being dressed up in a white suit while standing alongside his favorite rap artist, Kid Cudi, in a white room.^[8] He asks at the end of the video, "Do you believe in Angels or God?" and simply answers, "I Do."^[10]

Death

Breedlove died from a cardiac arrest on the evening of Christmas Day, 2011, at his parents' home as family and friends were gathering for Christmas dinner.^[4] According to Ben's school friend, he had received a new video camera for Christmas and was anxious to get outside and try it. While outside, he began experiencing shortness of breath and light headedness. Breedlove laid down in the yard then passed out. His parents called 911 and administered CPR until EMS arrived. Friends of the family were on their way to the Breedlove home to share Christmas dinner with them. However, when they arrived the yard was filled with emergency vehicles. Paramedics rushed Ben to the hospital, but all resuscitation attempts failed.^[11]

Aftermath

News of his death made world coverage on December 27, his story first appearing on the Nine Network's Ninemsn^[5] before coverage spread out through the world on other major media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times,^[8] American Broadcasting Company,^[2] CBS News,^[12] MSNBC,^[9] Fox News,^[13] MTV,^[14] Daily Mail,^[4] The Independent,^[15] Herald Sun,^[16] Washington Post,^[17] People Magazine,^[18] and The Wall Street Journal.^[19]

On December 29, Breedlove's funeral was held at the Gateway Church, in Austin, Texas. The memorial service was streamed live on the KXAN website, at his father's request. More than 1,400 people attended the service, and another 11,000 watched online.^[20][21] A day after Breedlove's death, Kid Cudi said in reaction, "This has really touched my heart in a way I can't describe, this is why I do what I do."^[22]

Hypertropic Cardiomyopathy Association & The HEARTS Act

On January 5, 2012, the HCMA (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association) announced that they mourn the death of Breedlove and are encouraging their members to "tell their stories the same way as Ben." Lisa Salberg, founder and CEO of HCMA, along with New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. had worked together in drafting the Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Risk Assesment, and Training in the Schools (HEARTs) act. The Bill was introduced in January 2012 to Congress. "The HEARTs Act mandates raising awareness about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in schools and childcare centers and requires better prevention measures that will save young people's lives. It requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control as well as patient advocacy and health professional organizations to develop and distribute materials about SCA. Also, it requires guidelines regarding the placement of life-saving automated external defibrillators in schools and information on cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR training."^[23]

Salberg cited Ben Breedlove and others like him as the reason they will "lobby hard for the passage" of the HEARTs Act. The HCMA have agreed to create a special design bracelet for awareness of the disease. Students of Ben's high school, Westlake High, have had input into the design.^[24]

References

External links

• OurAdvice4You at YouTube.com
• BreedloveTV at YouTube.com
• TotalRandomness512 at YouTube.com