Meet Eugina Gilmore, a devoted mother, daughter, friend, and a passionate advocate for You're the Cure. Known as Gina, she is an IT professional at Unilever NA, managing mobile phones and printers for North America. When she's not at work, Gina enjoys capturing moments through her photography and expressing her creativity in the kitchen. But her most significant role to date has been as a mother advocating for her son's health and using her voice to raise awareness about the life-saving impact of CPR in her community.
Gina's journey with You're the Cure began after her son, Kyle Hewlett, experienced a life-threatening cardiac arrest. On July 9th, 2023, Kyle, a healthy 24-year-old, woke up feeling unwell. His condition worsened throughout the day, leading Gina to insist on a trip to the emergency room. What followed was a harrowing journey of resilience, hope, and the power of prayer.
Kyle's heart enzymes were elevated, and he was admitted to the cardiac floor for continuous monitoring. However, his condition deteriorated, and he went into cardiac arrest, requiring 90 minutes of CPR. The medical team at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, NJ, jumped into action, saving Kyle's life and setting him on a path to recovery.
This experience profoundly impacted Gina, motivating her to volunteer for You're the Cure. She felt a strong obligation to raise awareness about CPR and contribute to the cause. "Volunteering for You're the Cure significantly changed my perspective on health advocacy," Gina shares. "It highlighted the constant need for advocates, and I realized the importance of being in the background, ensuring everyone understands the significance of learning CPR."
Through her volunteer work, Gina discovered that her family's experience gave her a strong voice that resonates with people. She aims to leverage this momentum for a meaningful cause. To someone considering volunteering for You're the Cure, Gina says, "Do it! It's a great cause, and collective efforts toward a common goal are bound to yield positive outcomes."
Gina's advocacy doesn't stop there. She planned a community event at a Kwanzaa celebration at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ, where she shared her son's story, distributed CPR material, and encouraged others to become CPR certified. She also recruited thirty-eight new You’re the Cure Advocates from that one event.
Gina's story is a testament to the power of advocacy and the impact one person can make. Her dedication to raising awareness about CPR and her commitment to You're the Cure is truly inspiring. We are grateful for advocates like Gina, who use their experiences to drive change and make a difference in their communities.
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