Michael Atkinson survived cardiac arrest. But surviving his medical bills may be another thing entirely.

The 41-year-old Orcas resident was watching football on his couch on Dec. 14 when suddenly something went very wrong: he was having a heart attack.

When the first EMT arrived, Atkinon’s wife Dawn was already performing CPR. Medics attached the AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) and delivered a life-saving shock. After two more minutes of CPR, Michael’s heartbeat had returned. Coast Guard Station Bellingham responded with a patrol boat, and transported Michael to St. Joe’s hospital in Bellingham.

The Atkinsons have just received their medical bills from the ordeal and they total more than $100,000. Michael was recently laid off, and the family does not have insurance. Friends of the couple, who have two children, say it has been devastating for them. An account has been set up at Islanders Bank. Any amount of help is welcome.