The Cookeville Chapter 127 of Mended Hearts has donated an automated external defibrillator to the DeKalb County Complex.
The presentation was made Wednesday at the complex by Pharoah Smithers, President of the Cookeville Chapter, to County Mayor Mike Foster. “Today we are giving an AED to the DeKalb County Community Complex,” said Smithers. “This AED is a $1,300 unit and Mended Hearts is more than glad to be able to give it to them, hoping they will never use it. Lives can be saved with it. In Putnam County right now there are twenty nine people who have had these AED’s used on them. Mended Hearts also gave the high school here an AED a few years ago and bought them fifteen mannequins so that they can use them to teach CPR. We are providing this at no charge,” he said.
“We are pleased to get this because of the senior citizen center here and the exercise classes we have going on using the exercise equipment,” said County Mayor Foster. ” With the number of people going to be in the facility, we just felt like it was a really good thing that they have allowed us to have this unit here and we appreciate it very much,” he said.
In addition to Smithers and County Mayor Foster, others on hand for the presentation were Blanche Smithers and Lou Thomason of Mended Hearts, Kathy Pealer of UCDD, and Tony Luna, assistant director of the county complex.
One of the most successful Chapter 127 programs is that of raising funds through chapter activities and events to provide automated external defibrillators (AED’s) throughout the Upper Cumberland area.
An automated external defibrillator, or AED is an automated, computerized medical device that is capable of checking a person’s heart rhythm and, when necessary, providing an appropriate electrical shock that may “reset” the heart to an acceptable, normal rhythm.
AED’s are very accurate and easy to use and they can advise a rescuer or trained person when a shock is needed. The AED uses voice prompts, lights, and text messages to advise what steps to take and when.
The American Heart Association supports placing AED’s throughout a community where trained people are also available. AED’s are generally specifically placed in areas where larger numbers of people congregate, such as stadiums, airports, churches, and large department stores. Funding for purchase of the AED’s is accomplished through Mended Hearts, Inc., Chapter 127 fund-raising events such as “silent auctions” and bake sales as well as through private donations. In some cases, AED’s are provided through a cost-sharing program with recipient organizations in order to permit more AED’s to be placed throughout the community. Additionally, several businesses and organizations in the Cookeville area fully support the AED program and provide grants to assist in their purchase.
It has been proven that if a person has some form of heart attack where an AED and a knowledgeable person is available to administer a mild shock to re-establish a normal heart rhythm and circulation, that chances of survival are increased significantly (up to 80%).Mended Hearts is a national and community-based non-profit organization that offers the gift of hope to heart disease patients, their families and caregivers.
Recognized for its role in facilitating a positive patient-care experience, now aligned with the American College of Cardiology, Mended Hearts is celebrating 60 years of service. Currently, Mended Hearts has over 300 local chapters and satellites nationwide, and partners with 460 hospitals and rehabilitation clinics. Mended Hearts offers services to heart patients through visiting programs, support group meetings and educational forums.
Mended Hearts support groups help people understand that there can be a rich, rewarding life after heart disease diagnosis. Members listen, share their experiences and volunteer to talk to other heart patients about what they may face including lifestyle changes, depression, recovery, and treatment.
Mended Hearts volunteers offer peer-to-peer support to patients, family members and caregivers via:
•Hospital Visiting – In person visit from a Mended Hearts volunteer while you are recovering
•Online Visiting – Email check in and provide materials electronically
•Phone Visiting – Calling to provide a word of hope
The mission of Mended Hearts is to “inspire hope in heart disease patients and their families.”
(Pictured above left to right: Blanche Smithers, Mike Foster, Pharoah Smithers, Lou Thomason, Kathy Pealer , and Tony Luna)
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