St. Elizabeth Healthcare donated $30,000 to four community organizations and athletic trainers in Northern Kentucky to purchase at least 20 automated external defibrillators (AEDs). AEDs are lightweight, portable devices that deliver an electric shock through the chest to the heart and can greatly increase a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.
Boone County Parks group
The funds were presented to the Northern Kentucky Youth Hockey Association, Boone County Parks Department, Boone County Pee Wee Football League, Knights of Columbus Kehoe Council and St. Elizabeth athletic trainers during a ceremony on Thursday, April 6 at the St. Elizabeth Heart & Vascular Institute.
“When you’re talking about a heart, every minute matters,” said Dr. D.P. Suresh, cardiologist and medical director of St. Elizabeth Heart & Vascular. “AEDs make it possible for non-medical bystanders to provide immediate treatment while waiting for emergency responders.”
Some of the new devices will be placed permanently in high-trafficked areas. Others will travel with St. Elizabeth athletic trainers to practices and games at local high schools and Thomas More College. This donation puts more AEDs in the community, protecting thousands of Northern Kentucky residents.
“I go to all of the home sporting events, whether it’s baseball, soccer or football,” said Chris Unkraut, athletic trainer at Covington Catholic High School. “If one of my athletes or someone in the stands happens to experience cardiac arrest, I’ll be right there and prepared to act quickly.”
Paul Swafford, president of Boone County PeeWee Football and David Bingham of Cintas
The donation was made possible by funds raised during the St. Elizabeth Foundation’s Style Show – an annual event that raises money to help the healthcare system better serve the community. Cintas Corporation will provide a significant discount to the recipients to purchase the AEDs.
“We have approximately 4,650 youth baseball players, 2,600 youth soccer players and 1,750 Pee Wee Football players in our facilities during their seasons,” said David Whitehouse, director of parks and recreation in Boone County. “This donation will help ensure the safety of our park visitors and save lives.”
As a regional leader in heart and vascular care, St. Elizabeth is committed to increasing awareness and prevention of heart disease. St. Elizabeth has vowed to reduce heart-related deaths in Northern Kentucky by 25 percent by the end of 2025.
