YSI receives life-saving AED device
YSI raised money through the GotAED.org crowdfunding site to purchase an automated external defibrillator (AED) for youth, staff, and other individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. GotAED and nonprofit Simon’s Fund presented the device to YSI on December 12, accompanied by Philadelphia Eagle defensive tackle Beau Allen, who had a minor heart condition as a child.
An AED is a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart. The shock can potentially stop an irregular heart beat and allow a normal rhythm to resume following sudden cardiac arrest. Without AED shock treatment, victims often have only minutes to live. With quick response, survival rates from this condition are over 50%. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death of student athletes and takes the lives of thousands of students every year.
Mr. Allen came to support the presentation by Samantha Krouse, GotAED Program Manager, and Darren Sudman, Simon’s Fund CEO. Beau took time to visit YSI’s youth and also surprised Mr. Sudman with two tickets to this year’s Superbowl.
Mr. Sudman and his wife Phyllis founded Simon’s Fund in 2005 in memory of their three-month old son, Simon, who was taking a nap when he died suddenly from an undetected heart condition. Simon’s Fund is dedicated to raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and death in children. Simon’s Fund recently launched GotAED.org, a crowdfunding site dedicated to getting AED devices into places where kids learn and play. YSI’s campaign on the GotAED platform raised enough money to receive an AED device in less than 24 hours thanks to an anonymous donor.
