Ben Breedlove

Benjamin Daniel Breedlove (August 8, 1993 – December 25, 2011)[2] was an American Internet personality from Austin, Texas, known for his vlogs on YouTube.[2][3] On the night of December 25, 2011, he died from complications of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at the age of 18.[2][4]

Ben Breedlove
Breedlove at home during Fourth of July 2010
Born
Benjamin Daniel Breedlove

(1993-08-08)August 8, 1993
Austin, Texas, U.S.
DiedDecember 25, 2011(2011-12-25) (aged 18)
Austin, Texas, U.S.
Cause of deathCardiac arrest
Alma materWestlake High School[1]
OccupationInternet personality
Years active2009–2011
Known for"This Is My Story", When Will The Heaven Begin? This is Ben Breedlove's Story

Life and career

Ben Breedlove grew up in Austin, Texas, where he was a senior at Westlake High School. Ben lived with his parents along with his older sister Ally and younger brother Jake.[1] In 2010, he began making video blogs on YouTube, in which he dealt out relationship advice to his peers.

Breedlove created the OurAdvice4You channel on YouTube in November 2010 with friends, Justin Miller and Megan Parken.[2][3][5] On May 23, 2011, he launched his second channel, BreedloveTV, where he would answer questions about dating, relationships, and advice.[2]

At an early age, Breedlove had been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).[6]

"This Is My Story" viral video

On December 18, 2011, Breedlove released a two-part video on YouTube, titled "This is my story",[7] in which Breedlove revealed his heart condition as well as the impact it had on his life, using note cards. He also mentioned three near-death experiences.[2][8][9]

"I was at school, walking in the hall. I could tell I was going to faint, so I sat on a bench. I passed out. The next thing I know, I woke up with EMS around me. I couldn't talk or move, I could only watch what they were doing. They put the shock pads on my chest. I heard one of them say 'They are ready'. And the other guy said 'Go!'. I passed out again. My heart stopped and I wasn't breathing for 3 minutes."

Breedlove on the third time he "cheated death".[9]

On May 5, 2009, Breedlove underwent surgery to insert a pacemaker.[2] The pacemaker helped regulate his heart rhythm. In the video he shows a red scar on his chest, where the pacemaker had been inserted.[9]

Death

Breedlove died due to cardiac arrest on the evening of Christmas Day 2011.

Aftermath

Media coverage and memorials

News of his death received media attention from around the world, on 27 December, two days after his death, his story first appearing on Australia's Ninemsn[5] before coverage spread out through the world on other major media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times,[9] ABC,[2] CBS News,[10] MSNBC,[11] Fox News,[12] MTV,[13] The Independent,[14] Herald Sun,[15] The Washington Post,[16] People Magazine,[17] and The Wall Street Journal.[18]

On December 29, Breedlove's funeral was held at the Gateway Church, in Austin, Texas. More than 1,400 people attended the service, and another 11,000 watched online. He was interred at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery in Austin, Travis County, Texas, USA. [19][20] A day after Breedlove's death, Kid Cudi said in reaction, "This has really touched my heart in a way I can't describe, this is why I do what I do."[21] Cudi later dedicated his third studio album Indicud (2013), to Breedlove and all his fans that have died; the dedication can be found in the album's liner notes.[22]

HCMA and the HEARTS Act

On January 5, 2012, the HCMA announced that they mourn the death of Breedlove and are encouraging their members to "tell their stories the same way as Ben." Lisa Salberg, founder and CEO of HCMA, along with New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. had worked together in drafting the Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Risk Assessment, and Training in the Schools (HEARTs) act. The Bill was introduced in January 2012 to Congress.[23]

The Westlake High School Student Council and Friday Night Fan Stand collected donations for the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association during the Ben Breedlove Memorial Football Game which took place at the Westlake football stadium on September 21, 2012.[24] Fans wore white as a show of support and a moment of silence was observed. Funds collected were used for educational efforts relating to the disease that claimed Breedlove's life.[24]

Breedlove in September 2011.
The Ben Breedlove Memorial Fund for Africa New Life takes boys off the streets of Rwanda and clothes, feeds and educates them while teaching them that Jesus has a plan for their lives.

Africa New Life Ministries

On December 27, 2011, the Ben Breedlove Memorial Fund was created at Africa New Life Ministries.[25]

2013 Tournament of Roses Parade

On January 1, 2013, Ben Breedlove was honored in a florograph on the Donate Life float, titled "Journeys of the Heart".[26][27] Family members and friends contributed to the florograph which was then placed on the float.

Volunteers, family and friends created the florograph of Breedlove for the Donate Life float that was in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The florograph is made of all natural materials, such as seeds, petals and stems.

When Will The Heaven Begin?

On October 29, 2013, the book, When Will The Heaven Begin? was released by Penguin Publishers.[28][29][30] The book was listed on The New York Times Best Seller List beginning the first week of the release date.[31][32][33][34][35] The memoir of Ben's life is written by his sister Ally Breedlove with Ken Abraham.[36][37] The title of the book is taken from the lyric of the song "Mr. Rager", written and performed by Kid Cudi.[38] Ben stated that during his second cardiac arrest, he had a vision of being in a peaceful, white room, in which his favorite rapper Kid Cudi, appeared alongside him as the lyrics to the song "Mr. Rager", began playing.[39]

Ally Breedlove and Ken Abraham co-author a memoir of Breedlove's life titled "When Will the Heaven Begin".

To Heaven and Back CNN television special

On December 1, 2013, CNN aired an Anderson Cooper special highlighting the near-death stories of Dr. Mary Neal, Anita Moorjani and Benjamin Breedlove.[40]

Additional publications

Breedlove's life story has been chronicled in several other publications, including "Imagine Heaven: Near Death Experiences, God's Promises and the Exhilarating Future that Awaits You" by John Burke,[41] "Soul Models: Transformative Stories of Courage and Compassion That Will Change Your Life" by Elizabeth Bryan and Angela Daffron [42] and "Echoes of a Life Well Lived" by Richard M. O'Bryan.[43]

In music

Breedlove's story has been honored in several musical pieces, including Kid Cudi's dedication of his album, "INDICUD".[44] The Chicago group, Empire, includes their song, "Journey Kid" on their most recent album titled "Orphan". Journey Kid can also be viewed on YouTube.[45] Australian composer Phillip Wilcher composed a 4-string quartet piece titled "Remembered upon Waking", performed by the Linden Quartet.[46] David LaCroix wrote and dedicated his piece, "In A Little While" to Breedlove and all the people that have "gone on to a better place than here".[47]

Gabriel Art Installation

Breedlove's legacy continues in the form of art installations and community arts programs. "Gabriel", a rugged angel wing sculpture made of fossilized bluestone by artist Bobby Jacobs, was installed in the Healing Garden at Dell Children's Medical Center. "Gabriel" symbolizes the strength and comfort of angels in times of need. It is a reminder to "see" the unseen – God's ministering spirits at work in this world. Second Lady Karen Pence visiting Gabriel with Breedlove's mother in 2017[48][49][50]

Sculpture "Gabriel", honoring Breedlove, is installed in Dell Children's Healing Garden.

The Spread Your Wings Community Arts Program

The "Spread Your Wings" Community Arts Program took flight at Dell Children's Medical Center's 2017 "Art of Giving" event when the art piece, "Spread Your Wings", broke fundraising records for Dell Children's. The piece is a painted set of angel wings on canvas that was created by artist Elizabeth-Bryan Jacobs. She says the piece was inspired by Breedlove's YouTube video because he told of being visited and comforted by angels during his lifetime. Breedlove had also been a frequent patient at Dell Children's Medical Center.

[51][52] This piece hangs in the newly created Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease. The "Spread your Wings' piece is the inspiration for the "Spread Your Wings" community arts program which will add angel wing art installations to hospitals and other community centers across the nation.

The first official "Spread Your Wings" installation took place on October 1, 2018, at the Las Vegas Community Healing Garden, which honors the 58 victims of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. "Love and Courage" is a gorgeous 6' tall sculpture and is engraved with the initials of the 58 victims.[53][54]

"Love and Courage" is the first official art installation of the "Spread Your Wings" Community Arts Program, inspired by Breedlove.

References
  1. Cargile, Erin (December 29, 2011). "How Ben lived with his heart condition". KXAN.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  2. Ng, Christina (December 28, 2011). "Texas Teen Ben Breedlove Posted Powerful Videos Before Christmas Death". American Broadcasting Company. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  3. "Teen Shares His Heartbreaking Story". HuffPost. December 28, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  4. Braiker, Brian (December 29, 2011). "Texas teen Ben Breedlove's YouTube farewell moves Kid Cudi to tears". The Guardian. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  5. Ninemsn Staff (December 27, 2011). "Sick teen's heartbreaking final message". Ninemsn. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  6. "Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". Nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  7. The two part video can be seen here: Part I, Part II
  8. McGraw, Dan (December 28, 2011). "Texas teen leaves YouTube video days before death". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  9. Rene Lynch & Deborah Netburn (December 28, 2011). "Texas teen dies on Christmas, leaves online message". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  10. "Teen posts YouTube message days before death" (Official YouTube video). CBS. December 29, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  11. Dahl, Melissa (December 29, 2011). "After Christmas death, teen leaves online message behind". msnbc.com. Archived from the original on December 29, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  12. Tozzi, Robert (December 28, 2011). "Texas Teen Leaves Behind Inspirational Video After Christmas Death". Fox News Channel. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  13. Duncan-Mao, Andrea (December 29, 2011). "Kid Cudi 'Broke Down' Over Fan Ben Breedlove's Death". MTV. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  14. "Teenager posts heartbreaking video of near death experiences just one week before dying". The Independent. December 28, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  15. "Teen shares heartbreaking life and death on video". Herald Sun. December 29, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  16. Hughes, Sarah (December 29, 2011). "Kid Cudi pens letter to fan who passed away from heart condition". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  17. Breuer, Howard (December 29, 2011). "Teen Died on Christmas, Left Behind Candid Message on YouTube". People. Archived from the original on December 29, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  18. "Teen Tells Story on YouTube Before Death". The Wall Street Journal. January 1, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  19. Erin Cargile (December 29, 2011). "Ben's pastor: He loved life, loved God – 6 pm News" (Official YouTube video). KXAN. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  20. Erin Cargile & Pamela Cosel (December 29, 2011). "Ben's pastor: He loved life, loved God". KXAN. Archived from the original on December 29, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  21. Stapleton, Erica (December 30, 2011). "Kid Cudi passionately reacts to Ben Breedlove videos". TheCelebertyCafe.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  22. DP (April 13, 2013). "Kid Cudi Dedicates INDICUD Album to Fans, Ben Breedlove". DatNewCudi.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  23. "HCMA Remembers Ben Breedlove and Encourages You to Get the Facts on Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)". Market Watch. January 5, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  24. Ed Allen, Opinion Article, Westlake Picayune Newspaper, September 20, 2012
  25. Africa New Life Ministries (December 2, 2011). "The Ben Breedlove Memorial Fund – Africa New Life Ministries". Africanewlife.org. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  26. "Donate Life Rose Parade Float". donatelifefloat.org. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  27. "Rose Parade 2013: Float list and route map". January 1, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  28. "When Will the Heaven Begin? – Penguin Books USA". Us.penguingroup.com. October 2, 2013. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  29. Christian Death Grief (2013). When Will the Heaven Begin?: This Is Ben Breedlove's Story: Ally Breedlove, Ken Abraham: 9780451468154: Amazon.com: Books. Penguin Publishing. ISBN 978-0451468154.
  30. "When Will the Heaven Begin?: This Is Ben Breedlove's Story by Ally Breedlove | 9780451468154 | Paperback | Barnes & Noble". Barnesandnoble.com. October 2, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  31. Taylor, Ihsan. "Best Sellers – The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  32. Cowles, Gregory. "Print & E-Books". The New York Times.
  33. "Publishers Weekly Bestseller Lists". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  34. Taylor, Ihsan. "Best Sellers – The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  35. Taylor, Ihsan. "Best Sellers – The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  36. "When Will the Heaven Begin? – Penguin Books USA". Penguin.com. October 2, 2013. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  37. "Ken Abraham —". Kenabrahambooks.com. October 2, 1999. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  38. "Kid Cudi – Mr. Rager Lyrics | Genius". genius.com. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  39. Video on YouTube
  40. "Stories of life, death and faith: 'To Heaven and Back'". CNN. November 2, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  41. Burke, John; Piper, Don (October 20, 2015). Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You. Baker Books. ISBN 978-0801015267.
  42. Daffron, Angela; Bryan, Elizabeth (May 6, 2014). Soul Models: Transformative Stories of Courage and Compassion That Will Change Your Life: Angela Daffron, Elizabeth Bryan: 9780757317866: Amazon.com: Books. Health Communications, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0757317866.
  43. O'Bryan, Richard (March 12, 2014). Echoes of a Life Well Lived: A Collection of Personal Stories, Essays, Poems, Insights, Reflections and Observations (9780615974927): Richard M O'Bryan: Books. Beggars Tomb Press. ISBN 978-0615974927.
  44. "Kid Cudi Dedicates INDICUD Album to Fans, Ben Breedlove | Dat New 'Cudi'". Archived from the original on April 17, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  45. "Empires – Journey Kid Lyrics – Musixmatch". musiXmatch. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  46. "Remembered on Waking (string quartet)". Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  47. davidlacroix1 (December 29, 2011). "ben breedlove song in a little while". Retrieved November 30, 2017 – via YouTube.
  48. "Artist Donates Sculpture to Honor Former Patient". Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas. October 5, 2016.
  49. "New angel wing sculpture at Dell Children's Medical Center in memory of Ben Breedlove". Archived from the original on February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  50. "Artist donates fitting memorial for Ben Breedlove at Dell Children's". October 2016.
  51. Home
  52. "Spread Your Wings".
  53. "Angel wing sculpture rising in Las Vegas Healing Garden". September 20, 2018.
  54. "Angel wings sculpture honors 1 October victims". September 22, 2018.
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