MEXICO — The Western Maine affiliate of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA), Med-Care Ambulance, in collaboration with Defibtech, has selected the Community Concepts Chisholm School Head Start as the recipient of an automated external defibrillator (AED) which was presented to Michelle Sprague, Chisholm School site manager, at an event on Oct. 6.

In honor of October as National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, Defibtech, a manufacturer of AEDs, donated equipment to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association so that its chapters and affiliates could award AEDs to community facilities and locations in need of a life-saving device. Med-Care Ambulance selected Community Concepts Chisholm School as the River Valley recipient.

“Looking geographically at the River Valley and the nonprofit entities within our area it was very logical to consider the Community Concepts Chisholm School Head Start as the recipient of this AED. The school and staff do so much to support the vision of healthy families and overall well being for children. In addition to Head Start and Early Head Start, Community Concepts has children’s behavioral health, counseling and support, energy and home repair services, affordable apartments and transportation to medical appointments for MaineCare clients. There are more than 500 volunteers that help Community Concepts meet its mission on an annual basis. In following with our goal to implement AEDs in public places while working hard today for a safer tomorrow we are proud to be deploying this one to the Community Concepts and Chisholm School” said affiliate leader, Laurieann Milligan.

“Community Concepts is honored to receive the AED for our Head Start building in Rumford,” says Chisholm School Site Manager Michelle Sprague. “This is a wonderful gift that lets Community Concepts serve our families with life-saving capabilities.”

Sudden cardiac arrest is the nation’s leading cause of death, resulting in more than 300,000 fatalities each year – exceeding the death rate of lung cancer, breast cancer and HIV/AIDS combined. Only about five percent of SCA victims survive. It is caused by an electrical malfunction of the heart, which results
in rapid and erratic heart rhythm and then the heart’s failure to beat.

Through immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the shock of
an automated external defibrillator the heart’s natural rhythm
can be restored and the victim revived. For more information on sudden cardiac arrest resources, visit www.suddencardiacarrest.org.

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