Posted on 02/19/2009

PITTSBURGH, PA – Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) threatens lives every day in classrooms and sports fields across the country. To help save more lives, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Foundation has launched an awareness campaign for schools that includes a mini-magazine, You Can Save a Life at School(TM), and a companion website, www.sca-aware.org/schools.

“Schools have the power—and the moral responsibility—to protect the lives of students, faculty, staff and visitors. With simple preparation, you can save a life at school,” said Bobby Khan, MD, PhD, chairman of the SCA Foundation Board of Directors, and Assistant Professor of Medicine/Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.

Why schools, when the incidence of SCA among young people is lower than in adults? “Schools are community centers filled with people of all ages,” said Mary Newman, SCA Foundation president. “Besides, if we are able to foster growth of a new generation of people who are ready, willing and able to help in sudden cardiac emergencies, we will be able to make a positive long-term impact on survival from the nation’s leading cause of death.”

Campaign materials focus on the need for placement of automated external defibrillators, CPR-AED training, and heart screening in schools. The cover story describes the amazing rescue of high school student Kaitlin Forbes—and the tragic death of her best friend, Maggie O’Malley. It also includes information on model programs, state AED laws, funding sources, and a video contest for students who would like to win an AED for their school.

The SCA Foundation’s You Can Save a Life at SchoolTM campaign was developed in cooperation with The RedFlash Group and M2 Technology. Sponsors include Boston Scientific, Cardiac Science, Health & Safety Institute and its family of brands (American Safety & Health Institute and Medic First Aid), Louis J. Acompora Foundation, Physio-Control, Inc., School Health Corporation, St. Jude Medical Foundation and ZOLL Medical Corporation. Other program partners include the Cardiac Arrhythmia Research and Education Foundation, Gregory W. Moyer Defibrillator Fund, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association, Parent Heart Watch, Project Adam, Project S.A.V.E., St. Margaret Foundation, Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes Foundation, and Take Heart America.

To get your free copy, or to order multiple copies, contact the SCA Foundation at info@sca-aware.org. For AED contest details, click http://www.sca-aware.org/schools/win-an-aed-contest.

 

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