The American Heart Association donated 14 instructional CPR kits to Chesterfield County Public Schools on Sept. 12. Each kit contains 10 manikins and other items for teaching CPR and AED use to students.
Thanks to support for the American Heart Association from the family of Dr. Eric and Autumn Edwards, these sites received kits: Bird High, Cosby High, Thomas Dale High, Matoaca High, Midlothian High, Monacan High, Academy 360 and the juvenile detention center. A graduate of Monacan High, Dr. Edwards is co-founder and CEO of Phlow Corp., a public benefit corporation focused on health care.
During a presentation at Bird High School, school and association leaders celebrated this community partnership that supports students along their path to graduation and students demonstrated hands-only CPR. To earn a Virginia high school diploma, students must receive hands-on training in CPR and learn how to use an AED. In Chesterfield County Public Schools, students fulfill these requirements during ninth grade PE classes.
“We are so appreciative of this student-centered donation that was made possible by one of our graduates,” said Dr. John Murray, interim superintendent for Chesterfield County Public Schools. “Adding 140 manikins to the CPR aids already in our schools will definitely increase the hands-on practice students receive. In addition to benefiting students, that will benefit the entire Chesterfield County community, where our students might encounter someone in need of CPR.”
Next year, the American Heart Association plans to provide CPR kits to the Chesterfield County high schools that were not part of this year’s donation.
Click here for more information about the American Heart Association.