 Red Cross, SSM St. Joseph Hospital and Philips to
Launch Defibrillation Program in the City of Kirkwood
Event on June 5 coincides with celebration of National CPR and AED Week
WHO:
Representatives from the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood, Philips Medical Systems and the City of Kirkwood Fire Department will present an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the Kirkwood City Council in honor and memory of the victims of the Kirkwood City Hall tragedy. The event also focuses public attention on the importance of National CPR and AED Awareness Week, June 1-7.
WHAT:
The installation of this AED unit in the Kirkwood City Hall entryway will serve as the official launch of the Kirkwood Heart Safe Community Program, a collaborative effort between the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood, Philips Medical Systems and the City of Kirkwood Fire Department. The program provides enrolled businesses and organizations with the necessary tools to respond quickly when a sudden cardiac arrest incident occurs. A second unit purchased by the City of Kirkwood will be placed at the Kirkwood Train Station, located at 110 West Argonne.
WHEN:
Thursday, June 5, 2008 – Presentation starts promptly at 7 p.m.
WHERE:
Kirkwood City Hall
139 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122
WHY:
Published studies indicate that survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest can exceed 70 percent if defibrillation is administered during the first few minutes. The chances of survival diminish by approximately 10 percent for every delayed minute in using the defibrillator for someone in sudden cardiac arrest. The average time nationally for emergency personnel to arrive on the scene is more than 10 minutes, resulting in an average cardiac arrest survival rate of less than five percent; therefore, the use of an AED within the first moments is vital for survival.
In addition, this year marks the first observance of National CPR and AED Awareness Week, declared by Congress in December 2007. The St. Louis Area Chapter has worked with individuals, businesses, municipalities and civic organizations to help them purchase and place 258 AEDs throughout Missouri and Illinois in the past three years. Of this total, 65 percent were placed in public access locations. Local businesses and organizations that enroll in the Kirkwood Heart Safe Community Program will have access to discounted AED equipment, as well as medical oversight from St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood for their site-specific response plan. Philips is offering significant equipment discounts for organizations that join the Heart Safe Program. Philips has designated the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter to assist members with their AED equipment purchases. Another aspect of National CPR and AED Week involves the Chapter providing opportunities for individuals to learn lifesaving skills throughout the week. For more information, visit our website at http://www.redcrossstl.org/NationalCPRAEDAwarenessWeek/tabid/244/Default.aspx.
About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 91 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 446,600 times each year. The Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org. |