A life-threatening cardiac event can happen at any time, regardless of a person’s age. To help prevent tragedies on school grounds, the Millcreek Township School District has taken a proactive step by unveiling a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machine at JS Wilson Middle School.
An AED is a portable device designed to treat sudden cardiac arrest by delivering an electric shock to help restore a normal heart rhythm. The new device was officially dedicated Monday in a ceremony attended by Principal Kirk Atwood. The event held special significance for Mr. Atwood, who is the uncle of Toby Atwood, a young woman who tragically passed away from a cardiac event during the Presque Isle Half Marathon earlier this summer.
Reflecting on the importance of quick action during cardiac emergencies, Mr. Atwood emphasized that seconds matter when it comes to saving lives, “My family suffered a loss that we are still processing at this point due to a sudden cardiac event. Whenever that happens, you know, you just wish that any devices that are possibly available are there. And so we have hundreds of people in our building, especially children every day, that we want to make sure that we have every opportunity to protect them however we can.”…