Susan Canning of Kevs Foundation, at left, presents an AED to the Southwick Regional School Jan. 19 to Curriculum Director Maureen Wilson. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Regional School received an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) this week from Kevs Foundation.
Kevs founder Susan Canning presented the AED to the Southwick-Tolland-Granville School Committee during its regular meeting this week.
Curriculum Director Maureen Wilson applied for a grant for the AED and the school was selected. Canning said this is makes 40 AEDs donated in the area, which means 40 opportunities to save lives.
“They are a lifesaver,” said Canning, noting that statistics show when there is an AED on premises of a cardiac incident, there is a 90 percent rate of saving a life.
Canning also praised the district for teaching students hands-free CPR.
“You are creating lifesavers,” she said.
Canning is passionate about AEDs and heart health.
Canning’s son Kevin died during an accident on a lake in 2011, but his family later found out what he actually died from was sudden cardiac arrest due to an undetected heart condition.
The Kevs Foundation, located in Westfield, sponsors cardiac screenings for young people in the community. Each screening includes an EKG, height and weight measurements, review of family history, blood pressure check, education on CPR and AED information.
The Foundation also teaches hands-free CPR and grants AEDS to local schools.
Kevs Foundation currently advocates for MA Senate Bill 1191, an act requiring AEDs in all schools.
In Southwick, the Southwick Regional School now has three AEDs, Powder Mill School has two, and Woodland Elementary has one.
