The East Pennsboro PA State Little League Champions added a new member to the team to increase survival rates of young athletes from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). The Peyton Walker Foundation donated an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) before the team hit the road for the Mid-Atlantic regional tournament in Bristol, Connecticut. National Fitness Partners/Planet Fitness also gave the team a $350 check to help with expenses as the team goes to the next level.
“National Fitness Partners/Planet Fitness is proud to work with the Peyton Walker Foundation in its effort to provide life-saving education and training. We are also proud to support the East Penn Little League team and present them with a contribution towards their trip”, said NFP/Planet Fitness VP of Marketing Christine Smith.
According to the American Red Cross, AEDs can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm. An East Penn Little League mom was saved, thanks to the quick actions of Sue Bruce and Coach Pearson, along with others who used the AED donated to the Dillsburg Little League by the Foundation.
“We value the lifesaving work of the Peyton Walker Foundation and appreciate the donation of our AED, which we will take with us to Mid-Atlantic Regionals and beyond. We will then install it at our home fields in Enola to protect our players, fans and community,” said Tyler Comp, head coach of the East Pennsboro Little League State Championship Team.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the #1 killer of student-athletes. Every hour, every day we lose a child to SCA. Survival rates of sudden cardiac arrest are typically less than 10%. During cardiac arrest, brain death begins within a few minutes. The victim’s survival rate drops by an average of 10% for every minute that passes without treatment. Ambulances can take up to 20 minutes to arrive, which in many cases is too late. Therefore, it is critically important to have an AED available.
Because they are portable, AEDs can be used by anyone to potentially save a life. When someone is in cardiac arrest, it is imperative to follow three critical steps:
- CALL 911
- PUSH hard and fast on the chest (CPR)
- SHOCK with an AED
“This past weekend’s heroic acts by Sue Bruce and Coach Pearson in saving a young player’s mom’s life still have me speechless, and further inspired knowing that our work is having a REAL impact throughout the Region,” said Julie Walker, executive director of the Peyton Walker Foundation.
