Webberville High School receives automated external defibrillator

 

Webberville High School was the recipient of an automated external defibrillator (AED) that was donated to the school in February.

 

The AED was donated through The Kimberly Anne Gillary Foundation in Troy, Michigan. The Foundation was founded by Randy and Sue Gillary after the death of their 15 year old daughter, Kimberly, who suffered a cardiac arrest while participating in a water polo game on April 1, 2000. The mission is to donate an automated external defibrillator and training to every high school in Michigan and to advocate cardiac screening and testing of all high school student athletes. As of February 24, 2004, the Foundation has raised approximately $578,000 and donated over 205 AED’s.

 

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs over 700 times daily in the United States, resulting in 250,000 deaths per year. The Center for Disease Control estimates 3,000 people between the ages of 15-34 die of SCA each year. Principal Brian Friddle commented “The Gillary Foundation has been great to work with and we appreciate their generosity in donating the AED to Webberville High School.”

 

An AED is a device used to administer an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart. Built-in computers assess the patient’s heart rhythm, judge whether defibrillation is needed and then administer the shock. Lightweight and portable, AED’s are now available and becoming increasingly common is schools. In addition to the AED, the Foundation provides training and certification to the school staff.