Norwich, CT––Norwich Free Academy juniors Josh Cingranelli and Michael Grant were honored at NFA on Thursday by the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation for a video they produced last fall on the importance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR in increasing the chances of survival for victims of sudden cardiac arrest.
The condition killed Larry Pontbriant, Jr., an NFA athlete, while he was running in a fun run in 2007.
The three-minute video features interviews with Pontbriant’s friends Hillary Coombs and Matt Gianelli, and a demonstration on CPR and defibrillator use by Lt. Joseph Hebert, of the Norwich Fire Department, all interspersed with pictures of Pontbriant from childhood to the lacrosse field at NFA. Larry would have graduated with Coombs and GIanelli this year.
Jeremy Whitehead, of the foundation, whose wife, Carolyn, survived SCA thanks to use of CPR and an AED, and Leslie Zolla, of Zoll Medical Corp. in Chelmsford, Mass., presented NFA with two AEDs, one for the school and one for the Larry Pontbriant Athletic Safety Fund. The fund, founded by Pontbriant’s parents, Lawrence and Evelyn, provides heart defibrillators for youth sports venues in southeastern Connecticut.
The Pontbriants will donate the AED to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Norwich, which will place the device at a non-denominational center for adolescents with substance abuse.
“A defibrillator could have saved Larry’s life,” his mother said. “I accept this not only to honor Larry, but all the victims and survivors ... and all of you who work to make our communities safer.”
A CPR and AED Discovery Session, a hands-on exercise introducing students,
faculty and other attendees to life-saving skills, was conducted following the ceremony, with the help of the American Red Cross, Southwest Connecticut Chapter.
The video contest is part of the Foundation's "You Can Save a Life at School" national awareness campaign. The next video contest deadline is May 25.
MEDIA COVERAGE:
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/x1596593739/Honored-video-celebrates-NFA-teen
http:www.theday.com/article/20100430/NWS01/304309825/-1/NWS