AEDs given to 11 community organizations
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The SoutheastHEALTH Ambassadors, an arm of the SoutheastHEALTH Ambassadors purchased automated external defibrillators (AED) to give to 11 community organizations.
The devices were recently awarded to the organizations through an application/greatest need process.
They were given out at a luncheon held in the Hirsch Community Room at the Cape Girardeau Public Library.
noted that sudden cardiac arrest does not just affect older people.
“More and more children are experiencing cardiac arrest due to sports injuries that also involve other high levels of activity, excessive energy drink consumption, environmental factors and more,” said guest speaker Brian Sutterer, MD, a sports medicine physician with Southeast Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.
He emphasized that AED accessibility in public settings is crucial.
“Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone,” said Ambassadors President Amanda Baert. “Most of these incidents, some 350,000 occur out of the hospital setting, and nearly 90 percent of them are fatal. But if a defibrillator is used within five minutes, the survival rate increases to 50 percent. AEDs are truly lifesavers.” Since the program began, 53 AEDs have been awarded.
The AED program began in 2016.
Money for the AEDs was raised through Ambassador events such as a red wine and chocolate pairing. AED recipients this year are Aging Matters, Cape Girardeau; Boy Scout Troop 311, Jackson; Leopold Knights of Columbus; Marquand Zion R-VI; North Cape County Fire Department, Oak Ridge; Oak Ridge R-6 School District; Oran Youth Sports; St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, Jackson; St. Joseph School, Scott City; Williamsville AA Senior Centers; and YMCA of SEMO, Sikeston. Groups receiving the AEDs will be trained on their use.
To apply for an AED, visit sehfoundation.org/AED-request.
Visit sehfoundation.org/AED-donation to learn more about donating an AED.
