Staff Report

Representatives from the 10 organizations chosen to receive an AED were trained on how to use the device in an emergency and how to maintain the equipment at Self Regional.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Rachael-J-Hughes-1010.jpgRepresentatives from the 10 organizations chosen to receive an AED were trained on how to use the device in an emergency and how to maintain the equipment at Self Regional. Courtesy photos

From left to right are Jennifer Clary, STEM Lifeline Coordinator for Self Regional, Wilson Senn, Betsy Black and Frieda Kesler from Trinity United Methodist Church, Sheryl Burgess, Community Outreach Coordinator for Self Regional’s Heart and Vascular Center, Cathy Sperry, Cardiovascular Manager and (back row) Craig Kesler, disaster coordinator for the church.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Rachael-J-Hughes-1023.jpgFrom left to right are Jennifer Clary, STEM Lifeline Coordinator for Self Regional, Wilson Senn, Betsy Black and Frieda Kesler from Trinity United Methodist Church, Sheryl Burgess, Community Outreach Coordinator for Self Regional’s Heart and Vascular Center, Cathy Sperry, Cardiovascular Manager and (back row) Craig Kesler, disaster coordinator for the church. Courtesy photos

NEWBERRY COUNTY — Trinity United Methodist Church in Newberry was one of several organizations to receive an AED grant from Self Regional’s Heart and Vascular Center. The program is awarding 10 AEDs, valued at a total of $25,000, or $2,500 each.

Schools, churches, community centers — even a fire department and state guard outpost — are among the groups that have been chosen to receive an automatic external defibrillator (AED) from the Self Regional Healthcare Heart and Vascular Center’s grant program.

“AEDs are a proven life-saver during sudden cardiac emergencies, and we want to make sure our community is equipped and trained to respond,” said Kendra Kenney, administrative director of the Heart and Vascular Center. “The grant program is our effort to partner with our community and try to fill in some of the geographic gaps with these powerful devices.”

Representatives from the 10 organizations chosen to receive an AED were trained on how to use the device in an emergency and how to maintain the equipment during mid-June at Self Regional. Self Regional is the region’s only Accredited Chest Pain Facility, and is committed to offering health screening, education and other outreach for the community.

Grant recipients submitted an application that outlined their need for the device, including the amount of individuals who visit the facility. A committee consisting of physicians, clinicians and community representatives were responsible for selecting the grant recipients. More than 45 applications were received for the 10 AEDs.

“The response to this program exceeded our expectations,” said Sheryl Burgess, Heart and Vascular Center’s AED Grant Coordinator. “We plan to work with our new partner organizations to ensure they are prepared to use their AED in an emergency. Our goal is to continue this program in 2016 and continue preparing our community for a cardiac emergency.”

Organizations that were not selected for a grant this year were given the opportunity to purchase an AED at a significantly reduced price.