In May 2021, Patrice Bullock’s world shifted in an instant when her 16-year-old son, Bailey, collapsed during a track event as a result of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). What followed has become both a deeply personal journey and a powerful mission to protect others. Through Bailey’s Heart & Soul Foundation, Bullock is working to ensure that lives can be saved through awareness, education, and preparedness.
“The foundation was started in honor of my son. He collapsed on the track in May of 2021,” Bullock said. “The day that happened, CPR was significantly delayed.” That delay, which caused Bailey's passing, is what continues to drive her work today.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a leading cause of death among student-athletes, and it often happens without warning. “Sometimes there’s no warning sign or a condition that wasn’t diagnosed,” she said. “Kids put in all they have on the field. It’s so important to make sure they are screened at least annually for signs.”
Through the foundation, Bullock has focused on increasing access to CPR training, AEDs, and heart screenings. These tools are critical in the moments that matter most, but just as important is making sure everyday people feel ready to step in and help.
"When children go into Sudden Cardiac Arrest, survival can come down to community members," she said. That message is already making an impact.
“Since the foundation began, there’s definitely a shift in the awareness and the preparedness, not just in Harford County but in communities in general,” Bullock said. “The foundation was really from a place of loss. But now the greater community benefit is protecting young hearts.”
Her advocacy has also led to meaningful policy change. The Bailey Bullock Act, signed into law, ensures that schools have clear cardiac emergency response plans in place, including knowing where AEDs are located and how to respond quickly in a crisis.
“It’s vital that CPR, chest compressions, are started early, and this also resonates with the importance of community or bystander CPR,” she said. “That’s what’s going to save lives.”
Bullock hopes more people understand just how urgent these moments can be. “It’s a medical condition that can happen to anyone, and when someone collapses, treat it as though it’s a medical emergency until EMS or medical team members can get on the scene,” she said. “With Sudden Cardiac Arrest, the brain only has a narrow window for bystanders to intervene.”
The foundation continues to grow, offering CPR training, heart screenings, and opportunities for the community to get involved. Events throughout the year help bring people together while supporting the mission, from Bingo for Bailey in January to a bull roast in May and a community 5K in September. “We can become community lifesavers,” Bullock said.
As the foundation approaches its five-year mark, Bullock remains focused on expanding its reach and strengthening its impact. Her goal is to ensure that more schools, families, and community members are prepared to respond when it matters most.
“We want to grow the foundation from a local movement to a movement that continues to grow across the community,” she said. “We want to continue with real change and continue to be a part of the mission to save lives.”
Bailey’s legacy continues to guide that work, creating a path forward that is rooted in awareness, action, and the hope that others will be ready when every second counts.
Learn more at BaileyHeartandSoul.org or read Patrice Bullock’s upcoming book, 8 min:45 seconds, A Child’s Heart, when it’s released in August 2026.