Providence Bridge Pedal Participants Help Save Lives

Feb. 16, 2009

PORTLAND, Ore. – For the second year in a row proceeds from the annual Providence Bridge Pedal will help save lives throughout the greater Portland area. Providence Heart and Vascular Institute purchased and donated four automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, to community groups with the proceeds from the ride.

An AED is a small piece of equipment about the size of a laptop computer. The machine is designed to help people assist someone having a heart attack. The operator follows voice prompts from the AED, which analyzes a patient’s heart rhythm for abnormalities. If necessary, the AED tells the rescuer to give the patient an electrical shock, which may help the heart restore an effective rhythm. “We are proud to help save lives in our community by donating these AEDs,” says Kristy Wayson, Providence Heart and Vascular Institute administrator. “We know more than 200,000 Americans die every year of sudden cardiac arrest. Nearly 50,000 of these victims could be saved if there was easier access to AEDs.”

This year Providence Heart and Vascular Institute donated AEDs to De La Salle North Catholic High School in Portland, St. Anthony Catholic Church in Tigard, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sellwood, and the Oregon City School District.

The De La Salle community knew the benefits of an AED long before receiving the donation. Last year one of their chemistry teachers collapsed at a gym and is alive today because someone grabbed an AED there and used it on him. “Our school serves many low income kids who may not have much health care,” says Bridgette Harrington, development associate at De La Salle. “Having the AED technology in our school is one more way to help our community.”

St. Anthony Catholic Church leaders were thrilled to receive their donation. “I started trying to get one of these two years ago,” explains Blanche Kobs, St. Anthony Catholic Church. “We have a very active parish, there are always events going on and we always have people there for church or school activities.” St. Anthony has 2,100 families registered at the church or school. Thirty percent of those who attend are over 65.

John Christianson of Immanuel Lutheran Church is a big believer in AEDs and said his congregation could have used one last year. “We had a concert a few months ago and one of our elderly members passed out,” recalls Christianson. “Thankfully there were two nurses there to help, but definitely could have used something like this then.”

The Oregon City School District received two AEDs because of additional grant money from Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation. “Our community loves sports and with so many students, parents and staff participating in a sport on any given day, it is our hope to be able to provide the best care possible should someone need help at one of these events,” says school district nurse Tina Moore. “We are a neighboring community to Lake Oswego who recently had a student die following a blow to the chest from a football,” she adds. “We know this could happen anywhere and we want to be able to respond with an AED should it happen in our district.”

Each donation includes the AED machine, a CPR informational chart and a fast response kit that includes a scissors to cut through clothing and a razor to shave hair from a chest to ensure good placement of the shock pads. All of the supplies, including the AED, are kept inside an alarmed cabinet, which also is donated. The alarm activates if the cabinet is opened, whether or not the AED is used. The alarm prompts officials on site to check the AED and make sure it is ready for future use.

(CAPTION: Bridget Harrington (left) and Blair Adornato, De La Salle High School, accept a donated AED from Stacey Peterson of Providence Heart and Vascular Institute.)