SCA Survivor Chai Baker Gives Back to His Alma Mater
By: Shelia Mader
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) survivor and Malone High School alumnus Chai Baker gave back in a meaningful way on Friday, December 5, 2025, by donating a lifesaving automated external defibrillator (AED) to both Malone High School and Marianna High School. The presentation to Malone High School took place during halftime of the Malone Tigers vs. Marianna Bulldogs varsity boys’ basketball game.
The gift carried special meaning for Baker. In 2014, while practicing at Oregon State University (OSU), he collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest. CPR was administered and an AED was used until emergency crews arrived. Doctors have consistently credited the fast response and access to an AED for saving his life.
“Having an AED on site can save a life; it was an AED that saved my life in 2014 when I experienced sudden cardiac arrest during practice at OSU,” Baker said. “This is one way I want to give back, by donating these AEDs to Malone and Marianna. Having this machine during an emergency can make a difference for that person and their family.”
Both schools received praise throughout the night for their commitment to student-athlete safety, and the evening held special significance as Malone secured a win, making the moment a meaningful one on and off the court.
During the presentation, Doug Powell, former Malone principal and coach and now the Jackson County School Board’s director of safety, risk management, and threat management, delivered remarks honoring Baker and his journey.
“I had the privilege of being his principal,” Powell said. “Chai was a phenomenal athlete, yes, but even more importantly, a phenomenal student, teammate, and young man. But here’s the thing, if you take away the championships, the records, the accolades, his story of simply being alive today is bigger than all of it. His journey, his faith, and his resilience are extraordinary.”
Powell continued with praise and admiration for Chai Baker, “Chai was the leader of the last state championship team. He scored 44 points in that game, a state record at the time, and it may still be today. He was the MVP of the game, and he earned every bit of it. He wasn’t just great that night, he was four-time County Player of the Year, and the State Player of the Year in Florida for 2013 and 2014. A phenomenal athlete, yes, but even more importantly, a phenomenal student, teammate, and young man. I’ll never forget a moment from 9th grade. Chai was so stubborn on his final exam that he refused to stand up and speak in front of his classmates. I ended up calling his mom, and after she gave her speech for him, he finally delivered his own. And now, look at him, here tonight, ready to speak to all of you. That stubbornness clearly turned into courage and determination. I’ve known this family all my life. His mom and uncle were my classmates. His dad was my neighbor growing up. We watched Chai grow up, and he became everything we hoped for and more. He’s here tonight to share that with you, and to share a message from his heart, especially for every parent and child in this gym.”
Baker now serves as co-chair of Who We Play For’s (WWPF) League of Champions, a Florida-based nonprofit dedicated to eliminating preventable sudden cardiac death in young people. His commitment to the mission comes from personal experience, and from loss.
“I know that there have been other experiences like mine that have ended in tragedy,” Baker said. “One that hit close to home here was my friend Herman Williams, who passed during a basketball game.”
Baker emphasized why early detection and emergency preparedness matter. Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, Florida students participating in school sports activities will complete an ECG screening.
“These screenings can help families find undetected and asymptomatic heart conditions before they face an emergency,” Baker said.
WWPF provides accessible and affordable ECG heart screenings across Florida. Screenings completed at WWPF events meet state requirements for athletic participation. These events are sponsored by Cardiac Insight, WWPF’s official ECG partner, whose Cardea 20/20 ECG device delivers the lowest false-positive rate for active youth in the U.S. (~2%) using built-in International Consensus Criteria. Families can find upcoming screening events at whoweplayfor.org/heart-screening-registration/florida.
SCA remains the leading cause of death for students on school campuses and accounts for roughly 75% of all deaths during youth sports. About one in 300 youth has a detectable heart condition that may put them at risk. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young people, and ECG screenings are the most effective tool for identifying it.
WWPF continues its mission by offering heart screenings and advocating for lifesaving policies. Over the past decade, the organization has grown into the largest nonprofit of its kind in the nation, performing hundreds of thousands of screenings and identifying hundreds of young people needing immediate, potentially lifesaving care. To learn more, visit whoweplayfor.org or follow WWPF on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
