Diana and Robert Roy lost their youngest son Travis to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) on June 25th, 2005 at the age of 14.

On May 20, 2005 Travis collapsed at his middle school in Murrieta, California. He had suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest caused by a previously undiagnosed heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). Travis was eventually airlifted to Children’s Hospital in San Diego. He spent four weeks in the Intensive Care Unit. An MRI was performed to ascertain the extent of damage to Travis’ brain. The MRI revealed massive brain cell death and damage. Travis had gone 23 minutes without circulation the day he collapsed. He was blind. He was completely paralyzed. And he could not speak, chew or swallow. Travis died a week later on June 25th. Robert and Diana were holding him when he took his last breath.

Since Travis died, Robert has become an advocate for the placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) in schools and public facilities. He also believes CPR should be a graduation requirement. In 2006, Robert formed a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Travis’ name. The Travis R. Roy Sudden Cardiac Arrest Fund (The Travis Fund) was created in memory of Travis. Their motto reflects their mission “Raising Awareness So Others May Survive”.

Accomplishments to-date:

Responsible for the placement of 228 AED’s, three saves and the training of over 150 people in CPR.

Responsible for the placement of AEDs in the following schools, school districts and public facilities to promote a “Heart Safe” environment:

  • Murrieta Valley Unified School District
  • Temecula Valley Unified School District
  • San Diego Unified School District
  • San Jacinto Unified School District
  • Point Loma Nazarene University (San Diego)
  • Poway Unified School District
  • Oak Grove School (Murrieta)
  • Birth Choice (Temecula)
  • Linfield Christian School (Temecula)
  • Calvary Christian School (Vista)
  • LaVerne Girls Softball Association (LaVerne)
  • Temecula Valley Polo Club
  • Lake Elsinore Unified School District
  • Hemet Unified School District
  • Scotts Valley Unified School District (Santa Cruz)
  • UCPath (Riverside)
  • Menifee Union School District
  • Running Springs Elementary School

On August 30, 2006 the California legislature unanimously passed ACR-159.  This resolution creates a state-wide Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Day for all California public agencies and schools.  SCA Awareness Day in California is September 12th (Travis’ birthday). It is meant to be used as an opportunity to help raise public awareness about the dangers of SCA and to honor those like Travis Roy who have died from, as well as those who have survived, an SCA event.

On September 30, 2014, California Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 2217 – a bill inspired by what happened to Travis – and introduced by Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez.  AB2217 is designed to allow School Districts to install Automated External Defibrillators (AED) and protect school districts and their employees from civil damages when using an AED in the event of an emergency.