Nationwide — B’Lon Calloway, a 42-year-old African American mother from Cleveland, Ohio, survived a sudden cardiac arrest at home thanks to her 15-year-old daughter, Mahogany Milton. Mahogany’s CPR, learned through the American Heart Association, kept her mother alive until paramedics arrived.
Mahogany recalled the terrifying moment in March 2025 when her mother came home from work feeling unwell. “She took one big breath, and then she stopped breathing. She started turning blue, and she started getting cold,” Mahogany told Cleveland 19. She immediately began CPR while speaking with 911, determined to save her mother.
Mahogany learned CPR from both her mother and the American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red program in 2023. Her fast action gave B’Lon a chance to survive the critical moments before paramedics arrived. “I was like dear God please let my momma live,” Mahogany said, tears in her eyes.
At University Hospitals, doctors discovered B’Lon had a 99% blockage in her left anterior descending artery caused by atherosclerotic heart disease. Intervention Cardiologist Dr. Ryan Christofferson inserted a stent to restore blood flow. B’Lon also suffered a heart attack but survived against the odds.
“I could have been driving home that night in the car by myself. But, God saw a system to let me make it home. Even if it was just for her, he felt that she was strong enough to endure that,” B’Lon Calloway tearfully said.
B’Lon stayed in the hospital for a week under the care of Dr. Michael Zacharias and the critical care team. “Very few people, one, survive cardiac arrest. Two have completely recovered function of the heart. It’s truly incredible,” Dr. Zacharias said, noting Mahogany’s CPR made a crucial difference.
The mother and daughter shared their story at an American Heart Association Go Red luncheon, encouraging others to learn lifesaving skills. B’Lon says the experience strengthened their bond. “If you don’t have faith look at me. I’m living testimony,” she said.