2007 Providence Bridge Pedal Participants Help Save Lives

Jan. 28, 2008

PORTLAND, Ore. – A large Catholic church community in southeast Portland became the second beneficiary of a free automated external defibrillator (AED) thanks to thousands of Providence Bridge Pedal participants. Providence Heart and Vascular Institute is using the proceeds from the 12th annual event to purchase and donate AEDs to community groups and public locations in the greater Portland area.

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. Using voice prompts to guide the operator, the AED 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.

The second donated AED will be located in the main level of Ascension Catholic Church in southeast Portland. The parish of 725 families has a strong Hispanic population and parish nurse Pauline DiPasquale says the church hosts many activities.

“This is wonderful,” says DiPasquale. “We have activities at the church almost every night and it’s nice to know the AED is here if we ever needed it.” DiPasquale says church ushers, group organizers and members of the health team will be trained on the AED. In addition, Arthur Charter School is housed at one end of the church building – and staff from the school will also learn to use the AED.

“We are proud to provide this equipment to the community – we know it will save lives,” 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.”

The first recipient of the AEDs was the Cooper Spur Volunteer Ski Patrol, which provides medical support to skiers on the east side of Mt. Hood.