This Local Musician Survived a Stroke Earlier This Year. Now He’s Helping Raise Funds for AEDs at an Upcoming Fundraiser.
by James Coulter
Dave Arnold had returned home from work when it happened. The right side of his face turned red. His ears started burning. His leg went numb.
He warned his wife that he felt like he was going to pass out. She tried to get him out of the truck and into the house. Upon doing so, he had to grab the side-view mirror to prevent himself from toppling over.
“I knew my left leg wasn’t working,” she said. “I ended up falling toward the door, and she ended up helping me into the house. I felt at that point that I was working on a heart attack at that point. I was sweating real bad.”
Fortunately, he was not having a heart attack, but he was having a stroke. He eventually calmed down and went back to feeling normal. Regardless, his brush with near death was an unpleasant experience, and he wants to ensure that no one else has to experience something similar.
Arnold is a local musician who mainly works as a contractor. He has atrial fibrillation (AFib) due to congested heart failure. Having suffered a stroke earlier this year, he knows full well the importance of having an automated external defibrillator (AED) on hand, which is why he’s helping to raise proceeds to install them across Polk County.
Dave Arnold will be performing with his band Twisted at Saving Lives Matter, a fundraiser to be hosted at Tanner’s Lakeside by Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, a local non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and funds to donate and install AEDs across the county.
“Going to these events is going to show somebody how these machines work and how they can save somebody’s life,” Arnold explained. “These machines will save your life. It is important to go out there, that is why we are out there, we are out there to help people raise this money and awareness so people do not have to go through that.”
Saving Lives Matter will showcase several local bands and musicians including Korey Ketchum, McKenzie, Joey Foley, and Spankin Sadie. Other activities include 50/50 raffle prizes, vendors, food trucks, a water slide, and a bounce house.
Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation was started by Melanie Brown Culpepper three years ago. She started the non-profit following the untimely passing of her fiancée, Michael Culpepper, who had suffered a cardiac arrest.
Not wanting anyone else to suffer a similar fate or loss, she started her organization to raise proceeds to install AEDs across the county. Since then, she has donated more than 48 AEDs to local establishments like Tanner’s Lakeside, the Winter Haven Boxing Club, and The Mission of Winter Haven.
“She didn’t want what happened to Culpepper to happen to anyone else, and that is why she started this,” Arnold said. “If she saved one life with those machines, then she has done her job.”
Saving Lives Matter will be hosted on Sat. Oct. 12 from 11 AM to 7 PM at Tanner’s Lakeside, located at 1006 Lake Howard Dr. SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880. To learn more, visit the Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper
Melanie and Dave recently both appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss the upcoming fundraiser and the experiences that led them to providing and supporting it. Listen to the latest episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-44-saving-lives-matter-2024-wmelanie-brown-culpepper-dave
